Southampton - Coopers Beach in Southampton Village is the location for Have a Heart's First Annual Volleyball Tournament. Coopers Beach has been named one of the top 10 beaches in the United States. Games will be played from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19, Aug. 20 and Aug. 21. A total of 32 teams will participate with the final match being held on Thursday, Aug. 21. Vivian and the Merrymakers will play at the beach on the final night.

Proceeds raised will be used to fund Have A Heart's Back to School support programs which includes providing clothing and supplies to local students in need. In addition, funds will be used to provide the award-winning Stewards of Children training from the national non-profit Darkness to Light to educate adults on the East End about
child sexual abuse prevention.

"We are excited to bring this healthy sporting event to the community and hope that it will inspire families to get out and play more sports together," stated Bill Wright, Volleyball enthusiast and Have a Heart Board member.

The three-night tournament is a community family event. All are encouraged to participate or cheer. Refreshments will be available at the Cooper's Beach pavilion and there will be supervised sand castle building for younger children.

"Over the weekend, I spoke with a local teacher who said that the projects our tournament is supporting will make a significant difference in the lives of children in our community," said Rose
Dios, founder of Have a Heart. "With all the fundraising events we have on the East End, it is important that some of them contribute to the lives of the local population which is why we are so excited about this new event."