HDRF Founder Audrey Gruss hosted a kick-off cocktail party for the Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) inaugural Walk of Hope and Shop for Hope fundraising events that will take place on Saturday July 30th, from 9am in Southampton.
Held at the Hamptons home she shares with her husband Martin Gruss, the party was attended by guests such as Southampton Mayor Mark Epley, Scott Snyder, Lis and Richard Waterman, Kim Heirston Evans, Mai Hallingby-Harrison, and Whitney Fairchild.
Surrounded by beautiful white hydrangea blooms set at the Gruss’ pool, Audrey thanked guests for attending and said “HDRF’s research mission is so critical, and I am so grateful to everyone for showing their support by committing to walk on July 30th.” She continued to say that the Walk of HOPE has “over 200 people committed, with two weeks left to go.”
Gruss founded HDRF in April 2006 in memory of her mother Hope, who struggled with clinical depression. Every dollar raised goes directly to research.
Mayor Mark Epley, who is opening the Walk of Hope, then remarked that HDRF is a true leader in the field of depression research, and that he is “looking forward to taking part in the Walk.”
The three-mile Walk of Hope to Defeat Depression will circle a beautiful route around Lake Agawam in Southampton Village. The Walk will be led by Audrey Gruss to raise awareness and funds for advanced depression research. After the Walk, top retailers in town like Theory and Jennifer Miller will take part in Shop for Hope, where stores up and down Main Street and Jobs Lane will open their doors to customers and donate a percentage of sales to HDRF’s advanced research.
Shop for Hope will run from 11:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Pictured:
Lisa Jackson
Scott Snyder, Audrey Gruss