The Southampton Animal Shelter’s third annual “A Taste of Wine” benefit at Southampton Arts Center keeps their cost down and the taste buds high. “It’s a fundraiser for the entire community that supports us all year,” Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) President Jonathan McCann told Hamptons.com, of the event Jean Shafiroff hosted with them. But the heavy hitters in the community show up as well.
After trying some really good Turkish (Vinkara) wine, we spied Shelter supporters Jill Rappaport and Susan Allen schmoozing with McCann. “The Shelter is a happy place,” Jill gushed. “You walk in happy, but you walk out happier if you rescue an animal.”
What doesn’t Jill do for the homeless four legged? “Animals have been my oxygen my whole life,” she said. “I just lost two rescue dogs. But, I’m still the proud parent to four rescue dogs and seven horses.”
“Jonathan (McCann) is one of my best friends and I do everything I can for the Southampton Animal Shelter,” Jill explained. “We just did a whole initiative in the winter where we donated a thousand applications of flea medicine, called ParaDefense, for the rescue cats. I’m the spokesperson, so we launched at SASF.”
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An adorable SASF adoptee. (Photo: Jared Siskin/PMC) |
Rappaport, who brought great visibility to animal issues as the animal welfare correspondent for NBC News, brought us up to speed on her latest projects. “I’m working on a new show called Rappaport to the Rescue and I’m going to be a part of Pet Nation Renovation, both on Animal Planet, which will air in October that I’m very excited about. And I have a whole line of leashes, collars and toys I’ll be debuting on a shopping channel this fall.”
Centerpieces came from the Topiary Flower Shop, appetizers by 230 Elm and The Lobster Grill, dessert by Tate’s Bake Shop. Herbert & Rist, Palmer, Vinkara and Raphael Vineyards were among the wineries represented. Fiol Prosecco provided the bubbly and The Certain Moves Trio performed on stage.
It all leads up to the big dinner dance on Saturday, July 16th. “It’s always a beautiful event,” said McCann. And it will be filled with kind hearted animal lovers.
For more information, visit www.southamptonanimalshelter.com.
