Poker pro Beth Shak and her furry companion were among the guests at The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation’s Seventh Annual Unconditional Love Gala held at a private waterfront residence on Gin Lane in Southampton.
Gala Chair Jean Shafiroff, Board President Jonathan McCann and Chair Emeritus Susan Allen hosted this years sold-out event themed around a traditional Hamptons beach soiree, which honored El Faro de los Animales in Puerto Rico including Board Member David Brownstein and New York Branch President, Julie Sinaw.
Honorary Board member Georgina Bloomberg came out to support the Shelter, as did Southampton Mayor Mark Epley, U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, John Catsimatidis, and Jill Rappaport.
The Honorary Corporate Chairs for the Unconditional Love Gala included Allen & Company, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Ferguson Cohen, LLP, and Stifel Financial Corp.
Master of ceremonies Chuck Scarborough welcomed more than 300 guests including Southampton Councilman John Bouvier, Anna Throne-Holst, Richard Demato, Kim Renk, Ellen Scarborough, Debra Hearst, Lilianna Cavendish, Sony Schotland, Greg DâElia, Martin Shafiroff and Rachel Grant, in addition to Junior Committee members Kate McEntee, Scott Stevenson, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Phil Piro, Merritt Piro, Charles McConnell, and Sara Vacchiano. All guests enjoyed dinner by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and music by the Alex Donner Orchestra.
This years Unconditional Love Gala exceeded their fundraising goal through donations, live and silent auctions and pet sponsorships. All proceeds go towards SASF’s crucial initiatives, such as their low-cost spay/neuter mobile van granted by the ASPCA, efforts to rescue animals enslaved in puppy mills, and the daily care of the rescues within the shelter.
They also benefit the shelter’s programs that help special needs children, along with educating, mentoring and implementing SASF’s “Playing For Life” program, which is currently in over 40 shelters and highlighted at the major animal conferences throughout the U.S.