The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation hosted their 10th Annual Unconditional Love Dinner Dance on Saturday, July 20th, 2019. The event took place under the tents at Wickapogue and Old Town Roads in Southampton – starting with a cocktail hour, followed by a parade by staff of animals cared for by the Shelter, live auction, dinner and dancing. All 360 seats were sold out.  At the gala, individuals give support to provide “forever homes” to animals in need, both within the Southampton community and beyond. The mission has even extended to the far reaches of China and Puerto Rico.

“We’re here for the animals. We believe that animals should be treated with dignity and respect,” shares Jean Shafiroff, event chairwoman and New York–based philanthropist.

The Southampton Animal Shelter is highly ranked throughout the U.S. for its animal care, with a 24-hour veterinary clinic and a best-in-class training and behavior department in place to ensure the full recovery of each animal. The annual gala provides critical support, serving as its biggest fundraiser each year.

The Event Chair was Jean Shafiroff and the Honoree Aimee Sadler, Founder & CEO of Dogs Playing for Life. Gregory D’Elia emceed the event, The 2019 Gala’s Host Committee included: Randi Schatz, Amy Cosman, Antonella Bertello, Missy Hargraves, and Sharon Kerr. The Junior Chair is Kate McEntee, and Junior Co-Chairs include: Kingsley Crawford, Jenny Dwork, and Merritt Piro. The 2019 Media Sponsor was Hamptons Magazine. Entertainment was provided by Elan Artists’ Nation with dinner catered by Stone Creek Inn.

Notable attendees included: Jean Shafiroff, Aimee Sadler, Gregory D’Elia, Amy Cosman, Randi Schatz, Antonella Bertello, Sharon Kerr, Missy Hargraves, Martin Shafiroff, Kim Renk, Greg Dryer, State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, Clifton Knight And Raya Knight, Rory Diamond, Talen Hurd, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Mayor Jesse Warren, Ava Roosevelt, Candy Udell and Mark Udell, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Pamela O’Connor, Lisa and Philip Crawford, Lisa and Gregg Schenker, Danielle Naer, Katie McEntee, Kingsley Crawford, Jenny Dwork, Merritt Piro, singer Maxwell; models Jason Morgan, Peter Brant Jr. and Morgan O’Connor; Beau Hulse and Pat Hulse, Jerry Turco and Tracy Stern, Kenneth and Maria Fishel, Leesa Rowland, Dr. Marcy MacMillan, Dede and Terry Moan.

With an overwhelming turnout, The Gala was a success in raising money and awareness for the efforts of the Charity. A live auction included fund raising for the shelter’s training program with Dogs Playing for Life; and opportunities to match shelter dogs to veterans to become service dogs through programs K9s For Warriors, and Paws of War. Guests were also raising their paddles to sponsor feeding a dog or a cat for a year; group golf outings at the East End’s most prestigious golf courses including Shinnecock Hills and Atlantic, skiing in Sun Valley, a week at a private resort and an auction for a classic British motorcar, a beautifully restored 1952 MG TD.

Proceeds from the event directly support more than 5,000 animals who enter the shelter’s doors annually. Whether 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 home, the Southampton Animal Shelter has become a vital resource in their community. With the generous support of donors, they can continue to provide lifesaving programs and services.

—by Willa O’Connor