Watermill, NY - August 21, 2010 – Nearly 300 people attended the Third Annual Best Buddies Hamptons Gala at the stunning Water Mill home of Anne Hearst and Jay McInerney on Saturday, August 21. The Gala, which was presented by Audi, raised $325,000 in total donations for Best Buddies International, a vibrant organization founded in 1989 by
Anthony K. Shriver to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Haley & Jason Binn, Anne Hearst & Jay McInerney, Johan de Nysschen, Tatiana & Campion Platt, Alina & Anthony K. Shriver and Lydia & Rudy Touzet served as Co-Chairs of the Gala. The Southeast Asian-themed event drew out many New York and Hamptons notables, including Richard Ash, Debbie Bancroft, Cornelia Bregman, Beata Bohman, Michael Bruno, John Cochran, Nancy Corzine, Frank Cilione, Benjamin Doller, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Florence D’Urso, Lisa D’Urso, Bonnie Evans, Mia Fahler, Somers & Jonathan Farkas, Sara Herbert-Galloway, Holidae Hayes & Matt Gavin, Joanna Goldenstein, Lucia Hwong-Gordon, Debra Halpert, Stewart Lane, Robin & Robert Leacock, Margaret Luce, Alison Mazzola, Sonja Morgan, James Nederlander, Marty Richards, Nic Roldan, Lee Schrager, Susan Shin, Laura & Harry Slatkin, Hunt Slonem, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Tracy Stern, Peter Tumney, Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Eli Wilner, Samantha Marcus Yanks and Richard Ziegelasch
Highlights of the evening included a dance performance by Jeanine Mason, “So You Think You Can Dance” Season Five Winner, and Buddy Ambassador Brett Banford, who inspired the nation with his audition for “So You Think You Can Dance.” “Real Housewives of New York City’s” Countess Luann de Lesseps, sang her hit song “Money Can’t Buy You Class,” for which she altered the lyrics, crooning, “Money can’t buy you class, but it can buy you auction items.”
“Now in its third year, the Best Buddies Hamptons Gala brought together a generous crowd of friends, old and new,” said Tatiana Platt, Gala Co-Chair and Best Buddies International Board Member. “Best Buddies continues to grow and spread its message of friendship and volunteerism, and the Best Buddies Gala is now a must-attend event on the summer charity calendar in the Hamptons."
Gala sponsors included Presenting Sponsor Audi, whose breathtaking R8 Spyder was on display, Hearst Corporation, Campion Platt, Fame Game, UBS, DPS Sporting Club Development, Florence D’Urso, Penney & Gerry Klingman, Marlyne Sexton, and Lydia & Rudy Touzet. In-kind sponsors included Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, FIJI Water, Nicole Miller, Niche Media/Hamptons Magazine, Patron, Harry Slatkin Candles, Shin Advisors, LLC, and SALONTEA. Vivienne Tam generously dressed several Gala Chairs and Committee Members.
Prior to the Gala, two of the Hamptons’ chicest boutiques -
Jogo by Pooneh in Bridgehampton and Tory Burch in East Hampton - hosted shopping events with portions of the proceeds benefiting Best Buddies International. And, Lily Pond hosted a cocktail reception benefiting Best Buddies International as part of its Hamptons Social Series.