Veterinarian International’s “Trunks of Love” took place at the beautiful Cotswold-styled Baker House nestled in the village of East Hampton, N.Y. on August 12th, 2016. The event was hosted by award winning actor Dwayne Hill and honored animal advocate Christie Brinkley and Asian elephant expert Richard Lair. A Lifetime Achievement Award was designed by Alexis Rockman and was presented to both Brinkley and Lair.
Guests arrived at the soft pebbled driveway of the acclaimed Baker House 1650, this brought them to what appeared to be a secret garden door, where delphiniums greeted them from The Bridgehampton Florist. Past the archway one could see toy stuffed elephants and guests sipping Louis Roederer Champagne and Whiskey by Clyde May. The English styled grounds with a raised lap pool, sunken garden and pergola were the perfect setting for a wonderful evening.
Music played by DJ Doge while guests mingled with Chef Maurizio Marfoglia of Doppo La Spiaggia of Sag Harbor and Chef Elisabeth Johansson who flew in from the Swedish Culinary Summer. Mecox Dairy joined with special Champagne pairings, which were created by Chef Jodi Moreno of “What’s Cooking Good Looking”.
As per the Trunks of Love spokesperson: “The evening focused on VI’s Asian elephant veterinary care program, which includes the building of two mobile elephant clinics at Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) and its surrounding community in Sukhothai, and the Surin Elephant Kingdom in Thailand, as well as an EEHV disease surveillance program for baby elephants who are at risk of this fatal virus. The two clinics will provide urgently needed services to 265 captive elephants in these remote regions, and be a model of excellence for their mahouts or caretakers, by teaching compassionate treatment and proper standards of care.”
“We are so incredibly grateful to all who came to support this desperately needed elephant veterinary care program, we are now at 40% of our $200,000 goal which we hope to reach by November 1, 2016. We were so pleased to be able to honor living legend Richard Lair from Thailand, and advocate Christie Brinkley which helped raise awareness about the Asian elephant crisis”.
Brinkley who was joined by her daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook, was also presented with a gift by Helen Ficalora who created a Vets International elephant charm. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the charms went to the veterinary care program.
Also following the theme of the event, a film screening of Patricia Simms “When Elephants Were Young” took place at The Nova’s Art Project in Bridgehampton. The film was released worldwide. A panel followed with Patricia Simms, Dr. Scarlett Magda, Founder & President of Veterinarian International; and elephant expert Richard Lair. It was moderated by Senior Technical Adviser of VI Dr. William B. Karesh.
“It was wonderful that so many people came out to support the Veterinarian’s International event on World Elephant Day to learn about the many critical issues that elephants are facing worldwide. I was really thrilled to see the positive audience reaction to my film “When Elephants Were Young” and their appreciation of the film’s story and what some of the conservation solutions can be to help save Asian elephants,” stated award winning filmmaker and Founder of World Elephant day Patricia Simms.
Notables included: Veronica Lee Anne, Antonella Bertello of the Baker House, Susan Allen, Nicole and Allen Salmasi, Anne Hearst, Cornelia Guest, Georgina Bloomberg, Chris Mead, pet philanthropist Jim Mindling, Wellington Tichenor, MD, Jennifer Lauren, Ines Nedelcovic, Phillip White, local animalrescuer Dell Cullum, and Tundra Wolf of The Nova’s Art Project, Bridgehampton and Princess Angelique Monét.
Photos by Todd Westphal, IshootAmerica and Rolise Rachel
Find more information on Veterinarians International HERE
info@vetsinternational.org
