The Retreat Gala Raises Record $1 Million+ for Survivors of Abuse at Southampton Arts Center

Sold-out East End evening blends powerful storytelling, community support, and a milestone fundraising total for The Retreat’s lifesaving services

A sold-out crowd gathered Saturday, June 6, at the Southampton Arts Center for The Retreat’s annual All Against Abuse Gala, an evening that felt as emotional as it was impactful. More than 200 supporters, advocates, and community leaders came together in Southampton Village, helping raise over $1 million — the most in the gala’s history — in support of survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.

Spark Hamptons was proud to serve as a media sponsor for the event.

The funds will sustain critical services provided by The Retreat, including its 24-hour multilingual hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and fatherhood programs. This year’s milestone was made possible in part by a deeply generous anonymous gift honoring longtime supporter Gail Rothwell.

Guests arrived to a glowing cocktail hour featuring Art of Eating hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails, with the Southampton Arts Center’s galleries and newly refreshed gardens setting the tone for the night. Staff members from The Retreat spoke with guests throughout the evening, alongside young volunteers from Pitch Your Peers Teen Leaders, who modeled pieces from The Retreat Boutique.

This year’s program paid tribute to Rothwell’s lasting impact on the organization, recognizing her decades of leadership, generosity, and commitment to survivors. Speakers described her influence as foundational to shaping The Retreat into the region’s leading support system for those in crisis.

The evening’s program was led by Gala Committee Co-Chair Norma Cirincione and Executive Director Cate Carbonaro, who anchored the night around the theme “Purpose and Possibility.”

“Our purpose is clear,” Carbonaro told the audience. “Create safety, healing, and hope for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault. But how do we talk about possibility right now? For many survivors across Long Island, leaving an abusive situation has never been more economically out of reach.”

She described the stark difference between a world where help is unavailable and one where a survivor reaches The Retreat and finds shelter, support, and safety waiting. “Possibility is not naive,” she said. “It is what allows you to look someone in their worst moment and say, ‘We are here.’”

One of the night’s most moving moments came from survivor speaker Michelle Taormina, who shared her journey of rebuilding her life after turning to The Retreat in a moment of crisis. Her story brought the room to silence.

“For nine months, The Retreat became our home,” she said. “They gave us legal help, therapy, food, clothing, childcare — even summer camp for the kids. They gave my children stability and dignity when everything felt like it was falling apart.”

A short film by Toyshop Studio traced The Retreat’s evolution from its early days in East Hampton nearly 40 years ago to the comprehensive regional organization it is today.

The evening concluded with a spirited live auction led by Harry Santa-Olalla, drawing enthusiastic bidding across the room. A standout moment came when longtime supporter Bobbie Braun placed a major bid in support of The Neuwirth Foundation, prompting a standing ovation. “I did it because I can, and I did it for all who can’t,” she said, quoting her father.

Auction highlights included a Cotswolds getaway for six, a private château experience in France, and a garden visit with Ina Garten. A paddle raise and raffle closed the live program, with one guest winning a Bottega Veneta handbag.

Guests lingered in the Southampton Arts Center gardens afterward, celebrating under the summer sky with champagne and desserts.

The evening also featured an extended online silent auction, which remained open an extra day and included a Tuscany trip for eight, private chef dinners, an atelier experience with Kiki de Montparnasse, and works by Oscar Molina, Kathy Buist, Georgia Suter, and Theresa Lawler. Bidding closed June 8 at 5 p.m.

Supported by key philanthropic leaders including The Yaffa Foundation, Norma Cirincione, Jackie Mitchell and Michael Goldstein, Ellie Kurrus and Alastair Cairns, Kristen Erickson, Jen Steven & Sixth Street, Susi and Peter Wunsch, Bobbie Braun & The Neuwirth Foundation, and Wright & Co.

Business support came from Art of Eating, Dan’s Papers, Purist, Spark Hamptons, Toyshop Studio, Riverhead Building Supply, Wölffer Estate, and Zabi’s Wines and Spirits.

Among those in attendance were Kara Ackerman, daughter of founding board member Judie Ackerman; New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni; representatives from U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer’s office; East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez; Her Royal Majesty Queen Angelique-Monet of Eti-Oni, Nigeria; and publisher Cristina Cuomo.

For nearly 40 years, The Retreat has provided shelter, legal aid, counseling, and prevention education to thousands across Long Island. In 2025 alone, it delivered more than 13,000 legal services, supported nearly 808 individuals in court, and answered more than 3,000 hotline calls.

To learn more or get involved, visit allagainstabuse.org or call 631-329-4398.

Photos by Rob Rich societyallure.com

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .