6 Nonprofits Near Riverhead To Support This Holiday Season

RIVERHEAD, NY — If you’re like many of your Riverhead neighbors, you may spend a good part of the holiday season with your credit card in hand buying gifts for family and friends. Coming up soon is a chance to give back to the local community.

Giving Tuesday, which in 2024 falls on Dec. 3, is a day dedicated to supporting nonprofit and community groups. Since 2012, nonprofits worldwide have used the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to galvanize fundraising, rally volunteers and add momentum to their causes.

Maintaining funding is a constant challenge for many nonprofits that fill gaps and meet other needs in the Riverhead area.

Here are six llocal nonprofits to consider getting behind on Giving Tuesday:

1. North Fork Country Kids/ Animal Rescue & Preservation Through Pedagogy: A small, not-for-profit, volunteer only organization made up of educators, students, activists, long time rescuers and local residents that strive to protect and assist the feral cat population through TNR (trap, neuter, return). "Likewise, we focus our attention to cat rehabilitation and assist dogs that need placement when we are called to help. Among our efforts are educating those around us about the feral cat population and helping Long Islanders protect and preserve Long Island's North Fork land and wildlife," the group says.

2. The Butterfly Effect Project: The Butterfly Effect Project is a nonprofit, community-oriented organization started by Tijuana Fulford. It was Tijuana’s goal to start a program that would empower young girls by giving them the tools to achieve emotionally stable and self confident futures, in hopes of bringing forth a generation of women who are strong, independent and knowledgeable. The Butterfly Effect Project aspires to ensure that every girl enrolled in the program has a fair chance to broaden their horizons by eliminating obstacles such as mobility, cultural differences and finances.

3. North Fork Breast Health Coalition: The North Fork Breast Health Coalition is working to encourage and assist in the prevention, early intervention, and cure of breast cancer through advocacy, awareness, networking, and research. The funds raised go directly to programs such as "Lend a Helping Hand", which provides grants to patients on the North Fork who are being treated for breast cancer.

4. Humane Long Island: Humane Long Island—formerly known as LION — "is the leading animal advocacy organization on Long Island and the premier domestic fowl rescue from Manhattan to Montauk, having stopped slaughterhouses, aquariums, fur stores, pet stores, and massacres of thousands of deer and waterfowl," the group says.

5. Maureen's Haven: Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach is dedicated to supporting the homeless on the East End of Long Island. "We offer supportive services, programs, and access to case management, and our guests can enjoy a meal, get clothes, and have access to basic needs at our day center year-round. We also provide a safe, warm temporary shelter to homeless individuals, from November through April, utilizing volunteer houses of worship and congregation volunteers. The host facilities and supporting organizations provide much more than a place to sleep and a nutritious meal. They provide support through embracing the values of human dignity, respect, service, compassion, teamwork, diversity, and love," the group says.

6. Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons: Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation. "Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release wild chelonian species native to Long Island, to provide a sanctuary with a high quality of life for those who have sustained a permanent disability, and to allow injured animals to live out their lives with dignity and respect. We work to promote a safe and healthy natural environment by providing public education services regarding the threats and challenges facing our native populations," the group said.