Jean Shafiroff Talks About Philanthropy And Stony Brook Southampton Hospital

By Annette Hinkle

On Saturday, August 3, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital will host its 61st annual Summer Party in the fields at Wickapogue Road and Old Town Road, Southampton. Over the past 60 years, the party has raised more than $100 million for the hospital.

This year’s event benefits the Jenny & John Paulson Emergency Department and the gala honorees are part-time Southampton residents Jean and Martin Shafiroff, longtime supporters of the hospital. Ms. Shafiroff is a philanthropist and humanitarian and the author of “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give.”

Q: Was there one incident or worthy cause that first made you become interested in pursuing philanthropy as a mission?

I am sure it was the way I was raised that first got me involved in philanthropy. My teachers and parents were the first to encourage me to get involved in the giving back process. My father, a school teacher, was very concerned about the progress and well-being of his students. I was fortunate to have good role models and to be surrounded by people who had a deep concern for the underserved. So my upbringing initially led me to the path of philanthropy.

As I became more and more involved in charities and saw the incredible need in the world, I increased my involvement. Today I serve on eight charity boards and chair and/or co-chair about eight to 10 different galas each year. I feel fortunate to do the work I do. We are not put on this earth to work with the intention of just giving to ourselves. Good fortune is a gift and with that gift comes the important responsibility to use our resources to better society.

Q: What do you think holds people back from being more philanthropic?

People often follow what their role models do and then what they were taught to do. If an individual comes from a philanthropic family then he/she will most likely be charitable and concerned about giving back. Also, if an individual’s teachers encouraged philanthropy then he/she would most likely be interested. I will add that all religions teach the importance of caring for the underserved. In my book, I discuss how parents and teachers bear the duty of serving as good role models to teach future generations the importance of giving back. A philanthropy course in school should be a required course starting at a young age. Once an individual sees how rewarding it is to give, that individual often starts to give.

Q: A lot of people believe philanthropy is solely about providing financial support. But are there other ways that people without deep pockets can get involved?

Absolutely, individuals can give time and knowledge and then when financial resources are available they can give them as well. Both time and knowledge are resources that are very valuable! But those who have financial resources have an obligation to make donations and give generously.

I believe we can all be philanthropists and that those who have resources have an obligation to help the underserved. To do nothing is to waste a lifetime.

Q: How do you think the world of philanthropy has changed in recent years?

More people are involved in philanthropy than ever before. As a result, the concept of philanthropy is being expanded globally. More and more partnerships are being formed between individuals, foundations, businesses and governments.

Conventional media and social media are both playing a bigger and bigger role in spreading information about underserved populations and causes. Media plays a major role in covering the good work of many charities and those involved in supporting them.

Q: You advocate for all individuals to become philanthropists. What advice can you offer people who are looking to do just that, but don’t know where to begin?

I recommend that an individual follow his/her passions and then to look to get involved where there is a need. For example, if you are interested in finding a cure for breast cancer, then look to become involved with a charity that funds breast cancer research. Of course, you must also look for a well-run charity—and then where you feel you are needed and where you can be of help.

Q: Tell me about how you got involved in working with Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. Why has the hospital become such an important cause for you?

Many years ago I had read about the Southampton Hospital and its Summer Party. I also realized that a community absolutely needs to have a good hospital. When I was asked to first get involved with the Summer Party as an auction chair, I was excited to do so. I served as the head of the auction committee for two years. The following year I served as a vice chair. Then in 2009, Jean Remmel asked me to serve as the sole chair of the 2010 Summer Party. I accepted and then went on to chair the Summer Party again in 2011 and 2013. These were big and successful parties. We raised a total of $5.4 million from the Summer Party in those three years.

Q: What one thing would you like people to know about Stony Brook Southampton Hospital that they perhaps aren’t often aware of?

As a member of the Stony Brook Medicine family, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is able to provide the best of academic and community hospital care for our year-round and seasonal populations. Over the next several years we will be reimagining the health care landscape of the East End by building a new community hospital on the campus of Stony Brook Southampton and a new satellite Emergency Department in East Hampton. This is in addition to our recently opened Phillips Family Cancer Center offering state-of-the-art cancer treatment options, our Audrey and Martin Gruss Heart and Stroke Center and our Ellen Hermanson Breast Center.

The Ed & Phyllis Davis Wellness Institute offers the only hospital-based integrative medicine on the East End. Combining modern science, nutrition, psychology and exercise physiology, the programs are geared to preventing illness and encouraging health and wellness and many of them are free!

Another thing people do not know about is that the hospital never turns anyone away. We serve 25,000 people each year—and we happily do so!

Q: You made The Daily Fashion Report’s 2018 “New” Best Dressed List, part of Look Online (lookonline.com), for your ball gowns. What is the theme of this year’s hospital benefit and can you give us a little insight into what you’ll be wearing to the party?

This year’s Summer Party has as its theme “The Colors of Summer.” We have a beautiful invitation that reflects this theme. Our Summer Party will be a fabulous one for sure.

We encourage all people to purchase a ticket and attend and do not want anyone to feel pressured about what they wear.

I expect to wear a bright and colorful summer gown. But I have not decided exactly what I will be wearing yet.

I love ball gowns and own many of them. One day I plan to donate all of them to a museum as a collection. But right now I am enjoying the experience of wearing them. One of the boards that I serve on is the Couture Council for the Museum at F.I.T. [Fashion Institute of Technology]. I enjoy supporting the work of young designers through my fashion interest. Fashion is a great passion of mine. Getting all dressed up in a ball gown is great fun. And so I will do my best to wear something exciting to the 61st annual Stony Brook Southampton Summer Party!

To purchase tickets to the 61st annual Stony Brook Southampton Summer Party on Saturday, August 3, visit spot.fund/SHHSummerParty.