Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Annual Summer Party To Honor Longtime Supporters Jean Shafiroff And Martin Shafiroff

Long considered the peak of the Hamptons social season, for years, the Hospital Benefit was, to many, the must attend before jetting off to the Riviera. After all, the Old Guard can’t grow old without a hospital nearby. Thanks to such visionaries as this year’s honorees, Jean and Martin Shafiroff, and Chief Administrative Officer at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Robert Chaloner, the Hospital is now as good as its parties. This Saturday, August 3, tout Hamptons will don summer frocks and flock to the (air conditioned!) tents on Wickapogue and Old Town Road, Southampton, for the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital 61st Annual Summer Party to benefit the Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department.

If you’ve noticed a lot more doctors moving to your neighborhood, it’s the merger with Stony Brook, two years ago, that brought that Hospital’s estimable resources to our town. We recently took the opportunity to get some testing done at Stony Brook on our way back to New York, and can attest the quality and comfort level is superior. You no longer have to travel that far for cancer care. If you noticed that 13,800 square foot building on County Rd 39, it’s the fully integrated site of the Stony Brook University Cancer Center, The Phillips Family Cancer Center.

We learned about those plans and each new Chaloner accomplishment for the Hospital at the homes of Jean and Martin Shafiroff, who have supported the Hospital almost as long as they’re maintained a home here. They have been record breaking fundraisers and thrown private parties regularly to bring attention to the cause. As the Summer Party Chair in 2010, 2011 and 2013, Jean raised an unprecedented total of $5.4-million. How does she do it? Her book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give, is both road map and inspiration.

She has certainly inspired daughters Jackie and Elizabeth Shafiroff, who will serve as this year’s Junior Chairs alongside Michael Lorber, Caitlin Diebold, and Vanessa Gordon. Georgina Bloomberg, who wrote the forward for Jean’s book, and Stanley & Fiona Druckenmiller are Honorary Chairs. Dr. Charles & Diane Guida and Dr. John & Alessandra Hubbell are Medical Chairs and the Corporate Chair is Douglas Elliman Real Estate.

“It’s essential that the towns and villages of the East End have access to world class healthcare,” Jean says, “which is why my husband and I are dedicated to supporting the Hospital in its mission to bring the best and latest in medicine to our communities. It’s a great honor for both of us to receive this award and we in turn, wish to thank everyone at the Hospital for all they do for this community.”

The party will be emceed by Chuck Scarborough, who has also been a stalwart supporter for a long as we can remember. Boldface guests will include: Marigay McKee & Bill Ford, Audrey & Martin Gruss, Jenny & John Paulson, Margo & James Nederlander and Bridget Moynahan.

The renowned Annual Summer Party is the largest fundraising event in the Hamptons and has raised more than $100 million over the past 60 years.

“As the only hospital on the South Fork of Long Island, we have a tremendous responsibility to provide best-in-class healthcare to everyone who vacations or lives out here,” said Chaloner. “Fortunately, we have a world class team of physicians, support staff and generous donors who enable us to run a 24/7 Emergency Department, a Heart & Stroke Center, a Breast Center, a Cancer Center and more, which all offer the highest level of care, comparable with the best medical institutions in the city and around the country. Our summer party is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and I would personally like to thank every single person who lends us their support and makes it such a great night.”

Red carpet designers, Sachin & Babi, are the Fashion Chairs this year and will be attending the event. Sachin & Babi are well known for their celebrity clients who include Michelle Obama, Octavia Spencer, Mindy Kaling, Brooke Shields, Patricia Clarkson and many other leading ladies.

Dinner and décor are being overseen by celebrity event planner, Lawrence Scott. This year’s theme is ‘The Colors of Summer.’

During the cocktail hour, Hamptons Lemonade and Hamptontinis will be served alongside top shelf wines and cocktails; and a new local brand, Montaukila will be serving its 100 percent agave azul tequila.

It begins at 6:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by an elegant dinner at 7:30 p.m. Once dinner concludes, guests will be invited to dance to the eighteen-piece Groove Society band.

All proceeds raised from this year’s event will help to sustain Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s Emergency Department, which is open 24/7 year-round for residents as well as visitors and summer guests. The Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department is South Fork’s only emergency care facility, treating more than 25,000 people annually.

For more information, visit southampton.stonybrookmedicine.edu.