Unconditional Love Kickoff at the Shafiroffs

By Katlean de Monchy —

It was another beautiful evening at the Shafiroff’s Manhattan apartment, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared love for furry beings. It was also a kick-off for the 2024 Unconditional Love Gala, which will take place on July 20 in Southampton. Jean Shafiroff, the mistress of the house, knows a great deal about the Gala, She has been the chair of several pf the galas over the years. She and her husband, Martin, have raised a great deal of money for the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF). They have given pre- and post-Gala parties.. She is a television host, and the author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give. And they have adopted dogs from the shelter.

Martin Shafiroff, Jean Shariroff, and Stephen Baldwin at the Shafiroff’s Manhattan apartment — all for a good cause. (Photo PMC / Sylvain Gaboury)

The room was abuzz with excitement and goodwill. Among the esteemed guests were supporters like Jon Ledecky, Stephen Baldwin, Ruth Miller, Noreen Donovan, Katlean de Monchy, Jordan Lippner, Anthony Sabia, Hunt Slonem, Leesa Rowland, Larry Wohl, James Byrnes, Nicole Noonan, Steven Knobel, Peter Thomas Roth, Fer de Silva, Mike Espiritu, Kyle Persaud, Felicia Persaud, Brigid Fitzgerald, Jordan Roth, Eric Lerner, Marcus Tao,  Ron Dyce and Victor de Souza.

Noreen Donovan and James Byrnes (Photo PMC / Sylvain Gaboury))

There was a royal in attendance,  Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe, 47, of Germany, a sometime reality TV star, sometime media correspondent, often pitchman for various products and once in a while an actor. It is said he was adopted into the Schaumburg-Lippe family at age 24.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe of Germany, the animal activist and actress Leesa Rowland and the real estate mogul Larry Wohl (Photo PMC / Sylvain Gaboury)

Also in attendance, at least two dogs.

Jean Shafiroff not only talks the talk, she walks the walk. She has adopted dogs from the Southampton Animal Shelter. (Photo PMC / Sylvain Gaboury)

Jean Shafiroff gave an impassioned speech about the Foundation’s mission, “I am deeply moved by the incredible work of the Foundation caring for animals. The Southampton Animal Shelter takes in animals from all over the country,” she said.

“Their training is excellent. The work of the shelter is superior on all levels. One of our family’s adopted dogs is from the shelter, and he is absolutely wonderful.”

Nicole Noonan and Steven Knobel, contributors to the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation ((Photo PMC / Sylvain Gaboury)

She noted that this will be the 15th annual Unconditional Love Gala. As anyone who has been to previous galas knows, the event is high powered. It promises to be one of the highlight of the summer season, with a seated dinner, live music a silent and a live auction and dancing. The media entrepreneur and online personality Dave Portnoy is being honored, along with the pit bull pup he adopted in February, Miss Peaches. Cathy Bissell of the Bissell Pet Foundation will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award..

Out of the goodness of their hearts, Jean and Martin Shafiroff made a donation in honor of their guests this evening to the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. And they urged every last one of them to buy a gala ticket.

Nights like these remind us of the power of community and the impact we can make together. Here’s to love, laughter, and, most importantly, our four-legged friends!