We attended the annualย Unconditional Love Gala in Southampton, NY, benefiting the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
Amid the passed hors d’oeuvres and the puppies running around a Gin Lane estate, the annual Unconditional Love Gala, benefiting the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, was a festive space to celebrate man’s best friend. This year itย was themed aroundย a whimsical walk in the park, with the tents placed over the tennis court, a variety of booths serving snacks and drinks, as well as the grounds for guests includingย Congresswomanย Carolyn Maloney,ย Southamptonย Villageย Mayor Michael Irvingย and his wifeย Ellen,ย formerย Southamptonย Villageย Mayorย Mark Epleyย and his wifeย Marianne,ย Martin Shafiroff (husband ofย Honorary Board Memberย Jean Shafiroff; dressed in a striking yellow gown),ย Southampton Town Supervisorย Jay Schneiderman,ย June Jaffeeย โ Executive Director of the Muriel F. Siebert Foundation, State Assembly Memberย Rebecca Seawright.ย The event was also supportedย byย Georgina Bloomberg,ย Anne Hearstย andย Beth Shak.
Master of ceremoniesย Chuck Scarboroughย welcomedย more than 300ย guests who enjoyedย dinner byย Pinch Food Design,ย whileย Chris Nortonย and his band provided music for the evening. The evening went deep into the night, but was accented byย honoring ย SASF Co-Founderย Sonyย Schotlandย and Honorary Board Memberย Jean Shafiroff, who has chaired the Gala for the previous five years. Philanthropist and author Mrs. Shafiroff has been instrumental in helping the shelter raise nearly $4 million, while Mrs. Schotland has dedicated more than 50 years to saving homeless pets, and was instrumental in making the Southampton Animal Shelter private, with a no-kill policy.
This yearโs Unconditional Love Gala exceeded its fundraising goal through donations,ย pet sponsorships andย silent and live auctions, as led byย Katie Jacobs. The whole reason for the event is simple: all proceeds go towards SASF’s crucial initiatives. SASF is known for 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. But its not just about the pets! Proceeds also benefit the shelter’s programs that help special needs children, along with educating and mentoring.
