i-tri, an empowerment program for middle school girls, is marking the start of its tenth anniversary by hosting its inaugural online vacation auction, Let’s Go. The i-tri benefit boasts seven incredible getaways – offering spectacular international and domestic locales.
“Let’s Go includes some pretty incredible vacation homes and hotels in beautiful locations around the world, including right here on the East End of Long Island where i-tri got its start,” Judi Caron, co-chair of i-tri’s board of directors, said. “Our goal is to raise $40,000 for this year’s program and we know with the support of our local communities — and beyond — we can make this happen. Let’s go and do it!”
Auction options include a 7 Bedroom Private Estate in France – Paradise in Provence – (one week from March through July 2019 or September 2019 through June 2020); Private 6 Bedroom Home in Maine – in the Rangeley Lakes region (for one week in April, May or June or in September, October or November 2019 or April, May or June 2020, depending on availability – sleeps 14); Boutique Hotel in the Hamptons (three night stay at the Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton – excluding weekends and holidays and excluding July and August); Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica – 4 nights at a Rainforest Resort and Lodge accessible only by boat (Lodge only accommodates up to 26 guests in 5 private cabins, a 3-bedroom house and 4 private rooms in the Mango Guest House); Summer Vacation in Manhattan – one bedroom private residence in the heart of Manhattan (one week in July/August 2019 – sleeps 4) ; Private Home in East Hampton Village – a week in East Hampton Village ( available September 13 through October 31, 2019 – sleeps 6 to 8); Luxury Hideaway Villa in Costa Rica – private 4 Bedroom Retreat with Sea and Jungle Views (one week between May 1 and August 31, 2019 or in November 2019, depending on availability- sleeps 8).
Founded by Executive Director Theresa Roden, the non-profit has greatly expanded since its founding. i-tri is now in ten schools – with the recent additions of Riverhead Middle, Bridgehampton and a second school in the William Floyd district. With these new schools, the program reaches about 200 girls. The inclusive, community-based program focuses on nurturing participants self-respect, personal empowerment, self-confidence, positive body image and healthy lifestyle choices through programs like self-esteem workshops, physical fitness sessions, nutrition classes with family members, and triathlon-specific training. The program concludes with the i-triers participation in the BNB Hamptons Youth Triathlon – open to all kids aged 10 to 17 – at Long Beach in Sag Harbor. This year’s event will take place on July 13.
“Now celebrating our tenth anniversary season, i-tri is working with nearly 200 girls in ten schools across Suffolk County,” Caron added. “When I think about the fact that we started a decade ago with just eight girls in one school, this is quite a milestone. And even more exciting, we are now developing plans to expand i-tri to other cities in the U.S. — my dream since I joined the board four years ago. We have some big things coming down the pike.”
Proceeds from Let’s Go will support i-tri’s 2019 season. The auction will run until March 20.
To view the auction, visit www.accelevents.com.