Over 400 guests attended the 20th Annual Hamptons Happening, one of the Hamptons’ most-anticipated summer charity social events which this year raised $450,000 – the largest sum raised for this event in ths past decade.
The event took place on the beautiful Bridgehampton estate of hosts Kenneth and Maria Fishel. Funds raised will support groundbreaking research funded by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF), a leading international organization dedicated to eradicating cancer.
During the event, SWCRF presented Arthur F. Backal (Chief Executive Officer, Backal Hospitality Group) with the 2024 Distinguished Hospitality Award, Chef Francois Payard (Southold Social) received the Distinguished Restaurateur Award. Cheri Kaufman (CEO C iGive, Founding Partner, Kaufman Astoria Studios) is the 2024 Distinguished Businesswoman Award.
In Picture: Jamie Koff and Mark Friedman
Stephen Kliegerman (President, Development Marketing, Brown Harris Stevens) received the Distinguished Business Real Estate Award, Fern Mallis (NYFW Founder, Fern Mallis LLC) was the recipient of the Dinstinguished Fashion Cares Award, and DJ CherishTheLuv (Broadway Co-Producer & DJ, 2024 Tony Nominated “Here Lies Love”) the Distinguished Cancer Crusader Award.
As is the tradition, attendees at the beloved event enjoyed a night of delicious tastings from dozens of premier chefs, restaurants, and beverage companies (full list below) as well as be treated to a thrilling live auction.
Notable Attendees included: Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Arthur F. Backal, Chef Francois Payard, Cheri Kaufman, Stephen Kliegerman, Fern Mallis, DJ CherishTheLuv, Chris Wragge, Sarah Wragge, Kenneth Fishel, Maria Fishel, Alasdair Nichol, Father Alex Karloutsos, Jean Shafiroff.
Sponsors of the 20th Annual Hamptons Happening included:
Legacy Sponsor: Theodore A. Rapp Foundation
Liberty Sponsors: Kenneth & Maria Fishel
Hero Sponsors: Stephen Kliegerman, Cheri Kaufman, Dentons, Backal Hospitality Group, Hank Lane Music & Productions, Fusion Productions, Creative Games, Simone Development Companies, A La Mode Shoppe, Fabric to Finish, and the Friedman Rosenthal Team at Brown Harris Stevens.
Exclusive Auctioneer: Freeman’s | Hindman
Media Sponsors: James Lane Post, Lawlor Media Group
Hamptons Happening event is chaired by Mark D. Friedman of Brown Harris Stevens and Jamie Koff, Fabric to Finish with co-chair Bess Freedman and Journal Chair Erica Linden-Fineberg.
The event committee includes Alexandra Adame, Karen Amster-Young, Chris Arlotta, Arthur Backal, Antonella Bertello, Dawn Celovsky, Deanna Ceriano, Priscila Chateau, Natalie Cohen Gould, Maxine Danowitz, Maria Fishel, Elena Gibbs, Latifa Hamra, Leslie Keidan, Dina Koutroumanis, Norah Lawlor, Lori & Scott Levine, Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Gennaro Pecchia, Christine Prydatko, Susan Santoro, Randi Schatz, Liana Silverstein, and Chelsea Whitney.
About the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF):
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is an international organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The Foundation is a pioneer in cancer research and its mission is to eradicate cancer by funding cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer and develops minimally toxic treatments for patients. Through the Foundation’s collaborative group of world-class scientists, the Institute Without Walls, investigators share information and tools to speed the pace of cancer research. Since its inception in 1976, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has awarded more than $120 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers across the globe.
Images courtesy of Patrick McMullan / Michael Ostuni / Lisa Tamburini / Barbara Lynne Photography / Lawlor Media Group
