HUGS To Host Drive-in Screening Of ‘Elf’ Saturday In Westhampton Beach

Originally posted on 27East

Drive-in movies are the latest “blast from the past,” and Human Understanding and Growth Services, known as HUGS, is getting in on the trend.

On Saturday, July 25, in Westhampton Beach the nonprofit organization, which offers guidance about substance abuse and addiction to children and families, will hold its second drive-in movie fundraiser, including a food drive and prescription drug take-back.

The Christmas-in-July-themed event will feature the 2003 comedy “Elf,” starring Will Ferrell. Kym Laube, the executive director of HUGS, hopes the screening will provide families with a fun experience during COVID-19, and raise awareness of HUGS’ overarching mission.

“At the core of all of our programming, we have a simple rule, which is ‘to make the space better,’” Ms. Laube said. “As an organization that focuses on positive youth development and prevention, we are very aware mental health is impacted and substance use disorder is increasing during this time. Family bonding and community attachment serve as protective factors and providing the opportunity for both fall well within the mission of our organization. Bringing people together in a positive way is where we excel.”

The drive-in theater will be located at Westhampton Beach Presbyterian Church at 90 Meeting House Road. Gates will open at 7 p.m., and the movie will start at sunset, just after 8 p.m.

To add to the fun, a prize will be awarded to the best decorated car, and another to the most festive family. Sponsorship opportunities will also be available at the site as well. There will also be free Häagen-Dazs ice cream, and coffee and hot chocolate provided by Hampton Coffee.

Attendees, in order to be entered into a raffle, are encouraged to bring unused, unwanted and expired prescriptions, or over-the-counter medication, and nonperishable food items.

Posing with the Trolls

The last drive-in HUGS hosted in June screened the movie “Trolls” and had people in costumes as characters from the animated film, according to Ms. Laube. The event “made for a little escape from the reality of the pandemic. There were many moments that night we saw a look of relief on both parents’ and kids’ faces. Smiles went on for miles! One family even had a treasure hunt earlier in the day and the prize at the end was tickets to the drive-in,” she said.

Ms. Laube explained that HUGS is continuing to hold its outreach programs amid the pandemic.

“COVID has forced us to cancel many programs and that has had a major impact on the youth and volunteers in our program,” she said. “Last year during this same time, we delivered workshops and presentations to over 8,000 students and families about leadership, substance use, changing community norms, and all of that was canceled this year.

“Zoom has certainly become our main tool for working with kids and families and we are maximizing use of it,” she continued. “We did host our leadership weekend virtually; however, nothing replaces the impact of human connection and the life-long bonds that are formed during conferences. We also worry about the increase of alcohol, marijuana and other substances during this time and the incredible impact stress is having on individuals and families.”

Ms. Laube noted that she has been with the organization since she was 16 years old and started as a student in a weekend conference called the Long Island Teen Institute.

“Magic happens there, and like for many others, the program was life changing for me,” she said. “I am not sure that I would be alive without it.”

The movie begins!

HUGS provides an after-school program at Westhampton Beach Middle School with supervised recreation at an extremely low annual rate, and its The Long Island Addiction Resource Center offers a comprehensive resource list that helps individuals, families, and stakeholders find prevention, treatment, and recovery support near them.

“There are countless programs we run and stories that are told alongside them that serve as the fuel to the fire of this soul work we do,” Ms. Laube said. “We will continue to make the space better.”

Now, due to the pandemic and the crunch on the state budget, HUGS is facing a 31 percent cut in state funding.

“It’s unfathomable that prevention, treatment and recovery agencies are cut during a time when they are so desperately needed,” she said. “Like many not for profits, 100 percent of our fundraising was canceled and this, compounded with the cuts, creates a very dangerous situation.”

Ms. Laube and her team at HUGS hope that their drive-in will provide a “positive and safe way to bring the community, especially families, together.” Although there is a suggested donation of $35 per carload, Ms. Laube emphasized that she does not want payment to be a barrier to people attending.