Domestic violence fundraiser in Amagansett

A women-only event to raise money for an East End domestic violence shelter is scheduled for Sunday in Amagansett.

The Wahine Paddle, run by Paddlers for Humanity, is a three-mile paddle in Napeague Bay. Paddlers use stand-up paddle boards, kayaks or canoes. Registration starts at noon Sunday, with the paddling to begin at 1 p.m.

The fundraiser is for The Retreat, an East Hampton-based not-for-profit for victims of domestic violence, which has an 18-bed shelter for women and children, in addition to educational anti-violence programs. The money raised Sunday will go for parenting classes for women at the shelter, according to Heather Nardy, community outreach coordinator.

 The event is open to beginner and advanced paddlers. Each participate must raise a minimum of $250.

About 40 paddlers participated last year, said Jennifer Palmer, The Retreat’s development director. “It’s all women, but a lot of the women’s husbands and kids are there to cheer them on,” she said.

Fred Doss, co-president of Paddlers for Humanity, a not-for-profit organization based in East Hampton, said Sunday’s paddle is one of several this summer. The next event will be a three-person team relay on July 31 at Fort Pond Bay in Montauk. The signature event, which inspired the organization’s formation, is the annual 18-mile Montauk-to-Block Island paddle on Aug. 27. Each event raises money for charity.

“People are attracted to it because they are looking to get out and have a good time, but it also taps into their philanthropic nature,” Doss said.

For more information, visit the Paddlers for Humanity’s Web site — p4h.org — or The Retreat’s site — theretreatinc.org.