It was a party the North Fork will be talking about for years to come: On the night of what would have been Kait Doorhy’s 21st birthday, the hundreds who loved her turned out for a designer handbag Wingo fundraiser — and to toast her beautiful life.
A crowd of hundreds packed Osprey’s Dominion Vineyard in Peconic, spilling out onto the lawn and lining up outside the door.
And, while Kait wasn’t able to join the celebration, she was there, many said, her vibrant spirit and loving heart reflected in every smile, echoing in each peal of laughter, a driving force that continues to bring people together for good, even though she lost her life tragically after being struck by a car while away at school in August.
Wearing hot pink, Kait’s mom Darla and others sported the vivid hues Kait favored. Around the room, hundreds of photographs of Kait captured her bright smile and lifetime of accomplishments. Balloons reading ‘Happy 21st Birthday’ were placed on tables filled with designer handbags and fragrant bouquets of soft roses in a rainbow of colors.
Prizes on tap for designer handbag Wingo — all lovingly described with thanks to the scores of those who made donations — would surely have captured the ever-chic Kate’s discerning eye. Michael Kors. Tiffany. Coach. Designer names befitting the young woman who balanced her litany of academic and community-related achievements with a penchant for fashion.
The event benefitted Kait’s Angels, 501 (c) (3) a non-profit organization formed to honor Kaitlyn’s life with a pay-it-forward approach and acts of kindness in her memory.
President of Kait’s Angels William Araneo spoke of how life has changed in the past nine months in an unimaginable way. But he said Kait still lives among those who adored her.
“Take a moment to feel the force,” he said. “She continues to bring us together. She’s still strong.”
Andy Workenstein and Dorian Herfoff described finding a dime at Kait’s funeral; soon after, Araneo spoke at her service and mentioned that if Kait had a dime, she’d give it all away. Since then, many have reported finding dimes and placing them in a jar by her grave, signs that she’s still with the ones she loves, they said.
Kait, Araneo said, always said people are born with two hands, one to help them achieve their goals and the other, to help those in need.
Araneo credited the younger generation who’ve been the impetus behind Kait’s Angels and said the organization aims to help kids who may be feeling alone or bullied by installing Buddy Benches across the East End. Also, Araneo said, funds will go toward helping young people to attain an education and marketable job sills.
Glancing around at the hundreds in attendance, Araneo said if Kait were here, her 21st birthday party would have been a “backyard spectacle at Club Doorhy,” with guests crowding the home to celebrate.
Although the setting was different, the sea of loving faces was the same, he said, all gathered to remember Kait on her special day. “We celebrate our sweet girl,” he said.
Outgoing Mattituck Lions Club President Tim Bialeski said the group was donating $1,000 to Kait’s Angels; Bialeski is also vice-president of the group.
Longtime family friend Chris Pia toasted Kait, saying she will live forever in hearts and minds.
The St. Joseph’s College show choir sang songs, including”Halo” for their angel. Friend Evan Miller sang a heartaching song he wrote for Kait, called “The Force,” to a crowd away that wiped tears of sorrow. “This is not the end,” he sang.
Angel acts abounded, with winners given not only their prize, but a bouquet of roses, which they were instructed to give to a stranger in an act of kindness.
The event included Wingo, a mystery raffle, and a 50/50, with the entire pot of over $1,800 donated to Kait’s Angels.
Darla Doorhy joked that next year, the event will be held at Madison Square Garden to fit the crowds.
