Jean Shafiroff, Rosita the dog ©Rob Rich Society Allure
American Humane Hosts Dogs on the Dunes Clambake Honoring Our Brave Military Working Dogs & Beloved Service Members
As the sun set over Dune Beach in Southampton, American Humane hosted a special clambake, Dogs on the Dunes, to honor the brave heroes on both ends of the leash. Highlighted by the beautiful summer sky, the sold-out event was a tremendous success with many invited guests bringing their own dogs which only added to the fun evening. Military working dogs, who so valiantly serve alongside our troops to keep them safe from IEDs and other dangers, are too often retired overseas and are not able to be brought home to the loving homes of their former handlers. American Humane stands first to serve to reunite Battle Buddies who have so bravely served our country, and who are really heroes on both ends of the leash. Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane’s president & CEO started things off talking about the significance of the event before introducing Philanthropist and American Humane Board member, Jean Shafiroff. Jean gave a speech announcing that she was honored to serve as National Spokesperson for the American Humane’s Feed the Hungry Covid-19 Program and that they had reached their goal of $1,000,000 to feed over 1,000,000 animals.
Jean Shafiroff, who is an American Humane board member, has been the national spokesperson for the Feed the Hungry campaign and has hosted several fundraisers since its launch. While helping raise funds, Jean also donated generously to the cause and has appeared on national television programs numerous times for interviews promoting the campaign.
Notable attendees included: Jean Shafiroff, Martin Shafiroff, Dr. Robin Ganzert, Janna Bullock, Rosalie Brinton, Greg D’Elia, Elizabeth Shafiroff, Lee Fryd, Susan and Hunter Cushing, Jared and Mindy Epstein, Annie and Michael Falk, Geoff and Cyrena Fink, Christine Flaherty, Rob and Lisa Guida, Samantha Haywood and Doug Greef, Herb and Sharon Jablin, Lynne Kaiser, Andrea Karambelas, Sam and Terri Kaufman, Herb and Rita Krauss, Stuard and Marci Merzer, Burt and Knight Meem, James and Sue Mulholland, Marion and Phil Piro, Marilyn Pelstring and Peter Feinman, David and Meghan Rainey, Michael Shaheen and Maryanne Horwath, Lawrence and Judy Sullivan, Ann Thomas, Robert and Elizabeth Tomich, Abigail Trenk, Wendy Wegner, Stanley and Sonja Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Winston.
“American Humane is honored to have brought together so many fabulous people in support of our efforts to reunite American’s brave military K-9s with their beloved handlers,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert. “Every dog who serves in the U.S. Armed Forces deserves our thanks and a restful retirement, which is why we were thrilled to launch our Military Working Dog Reunification fund at our inaugural Dogs on the Dunes Clambake. This critical fund will make it possible to bring even more of our K-9 veterans home thanks to the generous help of our donors and ambassadors.”
Southamptonites came out to the Dunes with their dogs and enjoyed a stunning moon rise while noshing on clams, lobster and s’mores roasted over beach bonfire. Guests also kicked off their flip-flops and got down to the musical entertainment provided by the Alex Donner Steel Drum Band. Proceeds from the event will establish the American Humane Military Working Dog Reunification fund and help to bring our brave MWDs who are sadly left alone overseas home to be reunited with their beloved handlers. Importantly, the fund will also allow American Humane to provide free specialty and preventative medical care to make retired MWDs as healthy and comfortable as possible during retirement.
About American Humane:American Humane is the country’s first national humane organization. Founded in 1877, American Humane is committed to ensuring the safety, welfare and well-being of animals, and our leadership programs are first to serve in promoting and nurturing the bonds between animals and people. For more information or to support our work, please visit www.americanhumane.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Jean Shafiroff:Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give”. Jean is often referred to as “the first lady of philanthropy” by the press because of her generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. She serves on the boards of many charitable organizations and each year chairs upwards of eight different charity galas. Among the many causes she champions are those involved in women’s rights, rights of the underserved, health care, and animal welfare.
Jean serves on the boards of the American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, NYC Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, Global Strays, New York Women’s Foundation, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. A Catholic, she served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years and now is one of their honorary trustees.
In addition, Jean is an ambassador for American Humane and is the national spokesperson for the organization’s “Feed the Hungry” Covid-19 program, an initiative designed to provide food for 1,000,000 shelter animals. Jean is the ambassador of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation and a key donor and volunteer fundraiser for their work. She is a New York Women’s Foundation Board Alumna who remains very active with the Foundation and with women’s issues in general.
For her philanthropy Jean has been honored many times by groups including the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New York City Mission Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, Surgeons of Hope, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, Youth Counselling League, the NYC International Film Festival Foundation, the Jewish Board, and the Hadassah. In December 2020 Dan’s Paper named her Philanthropist of the Year at their Long Island Power Women’s Award Ceremony.
Jean is the producer and host of the television show “Successful Philanthropy” which airs six times weekly through LTV studios in East Hampton, NY, as well as in New York City on Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN): Spectrum Channel 34 and 1995, Verizon/FiOS Channel 33, and RCN Channel 82. The show will open in additional markets in 2021. On her TV program Jean interviews an eclectic mix of leaders in the world of philanthropy as well as actors, artists, business and civic leaders, and even a U.S. presidential candidate.
For more information about Jean Shafiroff, please visit: jeanshafiroffofficial.com. F: jean.shafiroff | T: @JeanShafiroff | I: @JeanShafiroff @JeanShafiroffAtWork
