Midsummer Night's Garden Party a Success!

Peconic Bay Zonta's Midsummer Night's fundraiser on June 16, 2023, was a big success. Thanks to all our donors, we raised over $2,500!

These funds will help us carry out our current service projects. We're also exploring a new project: supporting incarcerated women in Suffolk County through the organization New Hour for Women and Children.

Peconic Bay Zonta President Diane Greenberg explained that there are 300 women in Long Island prisons at any given time, and 75 percent of these women are mothers. They are in great need of help, as nine out of ten women in prison have survived domestic violence and one in ten have survived human trafficking. There is a 65 percent recidivism rate, which we hope to reduce by working with New Hour.

There are currently several bills in Congress pertaining to women in prison. For example, the Pregnant Women in Custody Act, if passed, would allow women who give birth in prison to keep their babies for an extended time. Suffolk County allows women in keep their infants for several months after birth, but Nassau County does not. We would advocate for passage of the bill to change that strict Nassau County rule.

On a hands-on level, Peconic Bay Zonta can participate in New Hour’s Project Dignity program. “Women leave prison in the same clothes they entered prison, so if they had on torn jeans and a dirty sweatshirt, that’s how they would go home,” Greenberg said. “We can change that by bringing inmates ready to be released new clothes, as well as everyday items that they will need, such as toothpaste and soap.”

Greenberg added, “We can help the children of women prisoners by bringing them gifts, such as toys and books, at holiday time and when reuniting with their mother. We can also volunteer to help at in-person events, such as parenting workshops.”

Greenberg told the audience, “Enjoy the desserts, but I hope they will be even sweeter for you knowing that your funds will be going to a good cause.”

The wine and desserts went quickly (click here to get the dessert recipes), the conversation was great, the silent auction was fun, and music by guitarist Scott O'Hare lent a festive air to the garden party. Best of all, feedback from our guests was enthusiastic and supportive.