Westhampton teen's care packages honor her late father
Elizabeth Sultan, a junior at Westhampton Beach High School, recently spearheaded the Peter's Packages initiative providing curated care packages to those who lost a loved one. Credit: Cara Sultan
A Westhampton teen is channeling the grief from her father’s unexpected passing into an initiative to help other young people dealing with loss.
Elizabeth Sultan, a junior at Westhampton Beach High School, recently spearheaded a program called Peter’s Packages, named in honor of her father, Peter, who died last year at 54 after suffering a heart attack while competing in the Jamesport Triathlon.
Sultan’s initiative provides curated care packages that contain items ranging from books to blankets. She said she was inspired to launch the effort after she and her brother, William, received similar comfort items from community members following their father’s death.
“This is kind of a way to help me navigate my own grief, while helping others navigate theirs,” said Sultan, 16.
Her father was an orthopedic surgeon at Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead who had become a regular participant in various endurance races — including the Jamesport Triathlon, which involved a 500-meter swim in Peconic Bay, a 25k cycling ride and a 5k run, according to the event’s online description.
“He touched so many people’s lives, and I’m definitely not the only person who is missing him,” she said.
Sultan has donated dozens of care packages — housed in tote bags featuring her initiative’s logo — at East End Hospice and Peconic Bay Medical Center. She has also delivered packages to a handful of families based on referrals, she added.
The Riverhead hospital donated $500, while Mixology Clothing Company in Westhampton Beach donated a percentage of profits last year. The public can also donate items through an Amazon Wish List, at bit.ly/4uE9QtU.
“The impact of her mission has not only helped her to heal and supported others in their grief, but it has brought the community together,” said Sultan’s mother, Cara. “It has been a positive focus during a challenging time.”
Sultan’s efforts also earned her first place and a $3,000 prize in the 2025 Long Island Holiday Sports Heroes Video Challenge coordinated by the W20 Foundation’s Team Up 4 Community Program. The challenge asked for videos depicting sports-related community service projects, with the public ultimately deciding the winner through online votes, she said.
Sultan’s video, which was created by her school’s broadcast journalism class, showcased the varsity soccer team dedicating a game last year to raising money for her cause.
“Liz is an exceptional young lady,” said Westhampton Beach Principal Christopher Herr. “Her work with Peter’s Packages shows the powerful impact someone can have even in the face of tragedy.”
Nominate a Long Islander who goes above and beyond or serves as an inspiration to their community. Send details and photograph to Michael Ebert, michael.ebert@newsday.com (photos should be high-resolution). Photos may be used in other publications affiliated with Newsday.
Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.
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