On a bright and beautiful summer morning, more than 500 men, women and children – plus a few canine friends – gathered at the starting line of Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) third annual Walk of Hope + 5K Run to Defeat Depression on Sunday, August 5th in Southampton.
The high-energy crowd, which included CBS’s Blue Bloods star Lorraine Bracco, The Watermill Center’s Robert Wilson, and Jenny and John Paulson, set out at 9am to complete a tree-lined 5K course around Lake Agawam. The USA Track and Field-sanctioned event raised more than $250,000 for advanced depression research.
Speaking from the steps of the Southampton Cultural Center just before the starting gun, HDRF Founder and Chair Audrey Gruss said, “Depression is the number-one reason in the world for disability, and the leading cause of suicide. We want people to know there is help, and we need more research if we are going to turn the tide on depression and suicide in this country, so thank you all for coming out to support the cause today.”
Southampton Village Mayor Mark Irving helped kick-off the event and cut the ribbon at the starting line. “The Walk of Hope has gathered the entire community to raise awareness about depression,” he said, adding, “I am so proud to see such an enormous turn-out and outpouring of support from our Village!”
Hope was in abundant supply as everybody sported caps in HDRF’s signature sunshine yellow, along with t-shirts with a custom design by Robert Wilson. The competitive runners – 89 in all – burst through the starting line, followed by families and fun runners. Following the race, Audrey Gruss and her team presented medals for best times in various age categories. Travis Taylor won the best time in the Adult Male category, and Tara Farrellwon best time in the Adult Female category. Mark Jacobello, age 13, won for best youth male, and Caroline Clagne, age 13, won for best youth female.
Gruss then presented awards to the top individual fundraisers Scott Snyder and Kim Heirston, and an award for Top Fundraising Team to Arthur Dunnam and Roy Cohen, who named their team after their dog Oskar, who was in attendance.
This year, the Walk of Hope + 5K Run was heralded by the Week of Hope, a village-wide effort in Southampton to raise mental health awareness that started on July 26th, 2018. More than 90 stores in Southampton “turned yellow” by placing two-foot wide yellow statement balloons by their front door to symbolize hope and their commitment to changing the staggering statistics around depression.
The initiative came in the wake of the suicides of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade, as well as local Sag Harbor resident and publicist Jeanine Pepler. Each shocking loss is a reminder that the suicide rate is rising in the U.S. and that depression is a national health epidemic. Every 12 minutes a person dies by suicide in the United States; depression is the leading cause.
Additional participants included: Southampton Hospital’s Steve Bernstein, Somers Farkas, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Martin Gruss, Campion Platt and his children, Clelia and Tom Zacharias, Marigay McKee and Bill Ford, Erika Bloom, Samantha Gregory and Roberto Benabib with their daughter, Carolina Gregory-Benabib, Dr. Patrick Stubgen and Dana Hammond Stubgen, Janna Bullock, Jessica and Josh Gruss, Karen LeFrak, Caroline Bierbaum LeFrak and Jamie LeFrak and their children.
The Walk of Hope was supported by its Committee members: Lisa Aery, Nona Murphy Collin, Arthur Dunnam, Christine Mack, Jay McInerney, Anne and Jacques Nordeman, and Alicia Owen.
The Walk of Hope + 5K Run starts the lead-in to the 11th Annual Luncheon Seminar which will be held on November 6th, 2018. The event will focus on “Brain Health and Wellness – the Science of Self Care,” and will honor public figures speaking out about depression and salute the research progress of HDRF’s acclaimed team of world-renowned neuroscientists.
To date, HDRF has provided more than $30-million through over 125 grants for breakthrough depression research that promises to transform the way depression is viewed, diagnosed, treated and prevented.
On Saturday, August 4, 2018, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital’s 60th Annual Summer Party “Diamond Jubilee” attracted 700 guests and raised approximately $1.5-million to benefit the Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department.
Held under three tents on Wickapogue Road in Southampton, New York, the event honored the Catsimatidis Family – Margo, John, Andrea and John Jr. – and the Mosler Family – Wendy, Bruce, Charlotte and David – as role models for philanthropy, service, and commitment to the underserved.
The evening’s hosts were Howard M. Lorber, Chairman, Southampton Hospital Foundation, and Kenneth B. Wright, Chairman, Southampton Hospital Association. They were joined by Robert Chaloner, Chief Administrative Officer, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, and Steve Bernstein,President, Southampton Hospital Foundation, in welcoming guests.
Emcee Chuck Scarborough noted the evening’s success was due to the efforts of the event’s Chairs and Committee including NancyJane Loewy, Jeanand Martin Shafiroff, Caitlyn Diebold O’Connell, Michael Lorber, and Douglas Elliman Real Estate.
Attendees included: Ernest Baptiste, Rita Cosby, Cristina Cuomo, Marianne and Mark Epley, Somers Farkas, Ann Grimm, Dottie Herman, Father Alex and Mrs. Xanthi Karloutsos, Jean Remmel Little, Margo Nederlander, Reuven Pasternak, Jenny and John Paulson, Julie Ratner, Alex Roepers,Dr. Samuel Ryu and Mrs. Yoonn Ryu, Ellen Scarborough, Sammi and Scott Seltzer, Melanie and John Wambold, Cindy and Ladd Willis, among others.
Lawrence Scott Events curated the dinner and décor. Music was provided by Groove Society.
In mid-July, Northwell Health held its 13th Annual Feinstein Institute Summer Concert at Old Westbury Gardens in Old Westbury, NY. Superstar entertainer Fergie took center stage at the private benefit concert that raised more than $3 million to support research initiatives at the Feinstein Institute. Opening remarks were made by the evening’s emcee, Chris Wragge, co-anchor at New York’s WCBS-TV, followed by Dr. Kevin Tracey, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute. Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events produced the event experience.
Notable attendees included: Dr. Kevin Tracy, Leonard and Susan Feinstein, Fergie, Chris Wragge, Brian T. Lally, Dan Berardo, Danny Ross, Allison Ross, Robin Ross, Taylor Ross, Jack Ross, Donald Zucker, Barbara Hrbek Zucker, Pamela Karches Keneally, Susan Karches, Saul and Iris Katz, Scott Rechler, Gabrielle Rechler, Debby Rechler, Erika Marsh, Peter Marsh, Susan and Mark Claster, Cate Berry, Samantha O’Brien.
In just 13 years, the Feinstein Concert has collectively raised more than $20 million for research and has played an integral role in the Feinstein Institute’s discovery of a new and innovative field known as bioelectronic medicine.
“The tremendous support from our donors and everyone in our community aids in attracting leading researchers who share our mission of producing knowledge to cure disease,” said Kevin Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institute.
The Feinstein Summer Concert Featuring Fergie was no different. Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and actress, Fergie graced the stage for a nostalgic performance of her biggest hits including “Big Girls Don’t Cry”, “I Got A Feeling” and more.
A gourmet buffet, catered by Lawrence Scott Events, provided a selection of poultry and seafood dining options, taking into careful consideration every guest’s dietary needs. Guests also enjoyed an appetizing assortment of breads, fruits and cupcakes, exceptionally displayed at the decorated buffet table. Small cones filled with either fruits or candies provided sweet treats for the Feinstein Summer Concert attendees.
Presenting, Breakthrough and Discovery Sponsors included: Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events, Susan and Leonard Feinstein Foundation, Waterfall Asset Management, Barbara Hrbek Zucker and Donald Zucker, Acker Family Charitable Fund, Joan and Bob Catell, David and Ide Dangoor, The Karches Foundation, Carol and Edward Miller, Lewis S. Ranieri, Debby and Scott Rechler of Save the Starfish Foundation, Susan and Mark Claster of Carl Marks Foundation, Dooley Family Foundation, Lynn and Ed Streim, The Tully Family, Vista Equity Partners.
The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, headquartered in Manhasset, NY, is the research arm of Northwell Health. Led by its collaborative research enterprise, Northwell Health is reimagining how to treat illness, cure disease and keep people well through innovation. For over 20 years, Feinstein Institute researchers have made important discoveries in oncology, autoimmunity, neuroscience and genetics that translate into clinical advances.
Photographs by Patrick McMullan/PMC & Lenny Stucker (Stony Brook Southampton Hospital); D.Gonzalez for Rob Rich & Caryn Leigh (Walk of Hope).
