Virtual Galas and Events Support East End Businesses
From concerts to at-home dinners, check these galas out.
By Jessica Mackin-Cipro
Published by Dan’s Papers
June 28, 2020
Julie Ratner, Jean Shafiroff, and Jodi Wasserman at a previous Ellen Hermanson Foundation benefit. Photo credit: J. Vanderwatt for Rob Rich/societyallure.com.
Excerpt
The East End’s summer gala season does not look the same as years past due to COVID-19. It’s a hard hit for the non-profit foundations that depend on those single night galas—many that take months to create – for a large portion of their yearly operating budgets. While things may look different this summer, there are still options to support virtually and while social distancing. Here are a few options.
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary this summer. For decades the foundation has been committed to providing access to breast health care and empowering those affected by cancer on the East End. “Now more than ever, we are here to support our community on the East End of Long Island,” said an email from the foundation.
On July 25, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. the foundation will host a virtual gala. This year’s event will honor Cristina Cuomo, Kristen Dahlgren, Patti Askwith Kenner and Edyle O’Brien. There will be performances by Jessica Kirson and Tovah Feldshuh and the emcee is Lucas Hunt. The gala co-chairs are Jean Shafiroff and Jodi Wasserman.
“The money we raise pays for medical equipment and screenings at the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, with locations in Hampton Bays and East Hampton. The Ellen’s Well psycho-social support program provides individual and group counseling and wellness programs, free of charge,” read the email.
“Breast cancer does not take a break, and neither will we,” said president Julie Ratner. “No one is turned away due to an inability to pay.”
“I am so excited to take part of the 25th Anniversary of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation. Having been part of the board for several years, I have seen how we collectively—through our hard work, programs and new initiatives – have changed and saved lives,” said Dee Rivera, a member of the Ellen Hermanson Board.
For more info on the event visit ellenhermanson.org.
Original article: https://www.danspapers.com/2020/06/virtual-galas-and-events-support-east-end-businesses/