The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s 13th Annual Unconditional Love Gala

The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s 13th Annual Unconditional Love Gala returned to the Hamptons on a beautiful summer evening on Gin Lane in Southampton.

Chaired by Jean Shafiroff, the event honored Jonathan McCann, founding President of SASF and William Bratton, former Police Commissioner of New York City. The Honorary Chair was Georgina Bloomberg. The annual event has been the most important fundraiser for the shelter for over a decade featuring a reception, seated dinner, and dancing. In addition, a live and silent auction helped raise much-needed funds for the animals.

Proceeds from this event directly supported the more than 5,000 animals who enter the SASF’s doors each year. The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, non-profit, open admission, no kill organization, is supported exclusively by donations and grants from the community. From caring and finding homes for stray and abandoned animals to providing low-cost veterinary care and dog training so that animals can remain in their homes, the shelter has become a vital resource in the community.

Attendees included Bill Bratton, Jean Shafiroff, Jonathan McCann, Martin Shafiroff, Rikki Klieman, Pat Deshong, Rocco DiSpirito, Morgan Oliveira, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Magdalena Schneiderman, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, Jaclyn Brunckhorst, Greg D’Elia, Mayor Jesse Warren, Martyna Sokol, Jill Rappaport, Kim and Greg Dryer, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Debbie Bancroft, Ian Duke, Elena Gibbs, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Ann Liguori, Susie Wagner, Greg D’Elia, Nancy Stone, Terry Moan, Jonathan McCann, Dede Gotthelf, Eve Brookville, and David Hochberg.

Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Board Members include Susan Allen, Beau Hulse, Wendy Wegner, Bonnie Klapper, Renee Schlather, Brigid Fitzgerald, Dorothy Frankel, Sarah Freedman, Jordan Lippner, Marcy MacMillan, DMV, William Matuska, and Lorraine Egan. Platinum Vice Chairs include Susan Allen, Allen Wyoming Foundation, and Leslie L. Alexander Foundation. Diamond Vice Chairs are Jonathan McCann and Martin and Jean Shafiroff. Corporate Chair is Stifel. Silver Vice Chairs are Fiona and Stanley Druckenmiller, Lorraine, Bill and Lynn Egan, Karen and John Ferguson, Paul Herman, Beau and Patricia Hulse, Southampton Hospital Foundation, Bonnie Klapper and Lonny Schwartz, and Mrs. Nicholas D. Mastronardi.

The Foundation’s Host committee included Antonella Bertello, John Crawford, Rocco DiSpirito, Kim Renk Dryer, Elena Gibbs, Geri Garvin, Missy Hargraves, Asia Lee, Rolise Rachel, Randi Schatz, and Dawn Jessica Strain along with the team from the foundation including Executive Director Pat Deshong, Operations Director Beatrix Parash, and Director of Marketing, Nicole A. Tumilowicz.

In her address, Jean Shafiroff, Chair of the Gala commented, “we were so pleased to honor Bill Bratton and Jonathan McCann. This year we welcomed both a number of long-standing supporters and in addition many new supporters. We also saw the attendance of many new young juniors – which is wonderful as they represent the next generation of animal lovers and supporters.”

For more information, visit www.sasf.org.