Chad Smith, Jason Biggs Headline Sold-Out Generation S.O.S. Summer Celebration in Water Mill

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer and actor help spotlight youth mental health, addiction prevention and recovery as Generation S.O.S. expands its impact across the East End and the country.

A sold-out crowd gathered in Water Mill on Sunday evening as Generation S.O.S. hosted its Annual Summer Celebration, bringing together community leaders, elected officials, families, students and members of the recovery community for an evening dedicated to youth mental health, addiction prevention and recovery.

Chad Smith, Congressional candidate Chris Gallant, Southampton Town Trustee, Jimmy Mack

The fundraiser showcased the nonprofit’s expanding work throughout the East End and beyond, providing prevention, education and recovery support programs in middle schools, high schools, colleges, Indigenous communities and correctional facilities.

“What was so wonderful was that we were really able to showcase the work we do in every aspect of our organization,” said Generation S.O.S. Founder and Executive Chair Robin Kiam Aviv. “From middle schools and high schools to college campuses, incarcerated populations and Indigenous communities, people were able to see the scope of our mission.”

Billy Mack, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, Nancy Mack. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Mack

Aviv said one of the evening’s greatest successes was the diverse audience it attracted.

“It was an incredible mix of families, young people, student leaders, members of the sober community, our young adult speakers and people from across the Hamptons who wanted to learn more about Generation S.O.S. and help us continue building this movement,” she said. “After eight years, that’s incredibly meaningful.”

Generation S.O.S. empowers young people to make healthy choices around substance use and mental health while providing education, prevention and recovery support programs. Every program the organization offers is free of charge.

Chad Smith, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, Victoria Schneps. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Mack

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came at the start of the program when a Generation S.O.S. student leader shared how the organization had changed her life.

“She literally set the stage for the evening,” Aviv said. “Hearing directly from a young person whose life has been impacted by Generation S.O.S. was incredibly powerful.”

Chad Smith, Jason Biggs at Generation S.O.S,. Summer Celebration in Water Mill. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Mack

The evening’s featured conversation paired Grammy Award-winning Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith with actor Jason Biggs for an honest discussion about recovery, resilience and supporting young people facing today’s mental health and substance use challenges.

“Chad and Jason were extraordinary,” Aviv said. “They were entertaining, informative and incredibly real. Hearing Chad share his journey, along with Jason’s thoughtful questions and personal reflections, created such an important conversation while keeping the evening lively and engaging.”

The celebration also featured a performance by Smith’s son, Beckett Smith, and his band Cold Spring Harbor, during the cocktail reception before dinner at a private Water Mill residence. Model and television personality Sophie Sumner served as emcee. Aviv also welcomes the strong turnout of elected officials, saying the event helped showcase Generation S.O.S.’s growing impact through the region.

Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack and his Personal Connection

Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, who has been sober for 33 years and is Smith’s brother-in-law, said the evening was especially meaningful on a personal level.

“It was an amazing evening watching my nephew perform,” Mack said. Listening to my brother-in-law talk about his journey to recovery was so moving.”

Tommy Schiavonni, Southampton Town Supervisor Maria Moore, NY State Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, Former U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, Chris Gallant. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Mack

“It was wonderful to have so many elected officials there to see the work we’re doing,” Aviv said. “We’re already working in so many schools across the East End, and because of this event we’ve had even more schools invite us to participate.”

As Generation S.O.S. continues to expand its reach, Aviv said its mission remains focused on ensuring young people and families have access to education, support and hope.

“Everything we do is offered free of charge,” she said. “Our goal is to empower young people to make healthy choices around substances and mental health challenges while making sure they know they’re never alone.”

For more information about Generation S.O.S., to donate, volunteer or learn how to bring its free youth mental health, substance use prevention and recovery support programs to your school or community, visit GenerationSOS.org or email info@GenerationSOS.org.

Read Spark Hamptons’ exclusive interview with Chad Smith discussing his recovery journey and Generation S.O.S.’s mission.

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .