Jennifer Mabley & Austin Handler of Mabley Handler Interior Design, and Jennifer’s mother Cary Mabley hosted approximately 120 guests at Ms. Mabley’s home in Water Mill on the evening of Saturday, June 30th to celebrate “For the Love of Animals,” the first of what will be an annual benefit party in support of RSVP Inc. Animal Welfare & Rescue Group. RSVP Inc. is based in East Moriches, and engages in animal welfare outreach, education, and rescue work throughout the eastern end of Long Island.

During the event, the co-hosts and RSVP Inc. volunteers honored award-winning animal advocate, best-selling author and network journalist Jill Rappaport with the RSVP Animal Advocate Award for her work on behalf of animals on Long Island and beyond. Ms. Rappaport was kind enough to bring a signed bottle of famed East End-resident and fellow animal lover Christie Brinkley’s Bellissima champagne, which she auctioned off to the enthusiastic crowd, garnering a winning bid of $1,100. After tallying the results of a Call-to-Action auction, Silent Auction, and ticket sales, the event raised a total of approximately $40,000 to support the work of RSVP Inc.

The guests were also treated to the premiere of a documentary titled “For the Love of Animals,” created & produced by famed Hamptons photographer Eric Striffler and co-host Austin Handler. The documentary detailed the history and work of the RSVP Inc. group, specifically their community outreach program and their canine rehabilitation and training program.

Guests gathered under a Sperry Tent in co-host Ms. Mabley’s gorgeous garden and dined on food by Elegant Eating while dancing to music by Montauk’s fabulous Lynn Blue Band. To make a donation to the organization please click HERE. Photos in this feature by Richard Lewin.