The second annual “Have a Heart Beach Volleyball Bash” at Coopers Beach in Southampton drew so much interest this year that event co-founder and
organizer Bill Wright said he had to turn teams away. A total of 26 teams, from East Hampton to Center Moriches, battled it out on seven sand courts last Tuesday, August 18, to benefit the Have a Heart Community Trust’s Back to School Program, which provides school supplies and clothing to East End students in need. Wright and co-founder Bret Pahwul, who are also president and vice president of the board at Have a Heart, launched the tournament last year as a way to raise money for the charity in a fun and affordable way. Other teams included visitors from area beaches, like the Rogers Beach team from Westhampton Beach, and teams created by local businesses and organizations, like New Thought Spiritual Center in Southampton. A number of high school teams&mdashsuch as the all-girls team from East Hampton called Dembrowski&mdashhit the sand to practice before their fall season on the hard courts. “There were some pretty competitive players out there,” Pahwul said, noting that the high school players were amazing. Eighteen teams played in last year’s tournament and raised about $13,000 in donations. This year’s event raised well over $10,000, Pahwul said.
“Based on the current economic climate, it was a huge success,” he added.