Written by Lorraine Silvetz, MSW
Photo of The Water Club
Photo by Jeff Smith
Operation Warrior Shield’s (OWS) Healing for Heroes Gala, in support of Military Veterans and First Responders, was held at The Water Club in New York City honoring Jean Shafiroff, Philanthropist and author of Successful Philanthropy, The Doris Day Animal Foundation accepted by Jim Pierson and Patricia Deshong of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
Francesca DeVito, Judge Jeannine Pirro and CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman
Photo by Jeff Smith
Chief Master Sgt. Ed Schloeman, Chairman and CEO of Operation Warrior Shield stated the organizations’ mission, “Our goal is to provide specially trained, loving and supportive canine companions to veterans and first responders and their families who live with physical and emotional injuries incurred during their time in service.” Bethann Carbone, CSO of Operation Warrior Shield explains, “We developed Operation Canine Companion because veterans are committing suicide every day. We know how important healing from trauma is. OWS’ Operation Canine Companion pets provide safety, camaraderie, unconditional acceptance, and a unique emotional support that helps reduce the stress and challenges that our heroes face every day.”
Honoree, Jean Shafiroff
Photo by Jeff Smith
A cocktail hour and silent auction started the program led by the Chairman of OWS, CMSgt (Retired) Edward Schloeman Sr. Opening the ceremony was the USMC Color Guard from 1st Marine Corps District and an invocation by Monsignor Hilary Franco, who has had the distinction of serving six Popes.
Errol Rappaport, Judy Gilbert, Lorri and Marvin Scott
Photo by Jeff Smith
Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Paul Bucha, stated the importance of supporting Operation Warrior Shield’s goal to reduce service members and veterans risk of suicide. Deputy Inspector Mark Wachter and Lt. Col. Wilem Wong of NYPD Health & Wellness discussed the challenges faced by first responders. A live auction by Auctioneer Rudy Saviano sought to raise funds to provide trained dogs to veterans.
CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman, Honoree, Patricia DeShong, Errol Rappaport
Photo by Jeff Smith
OWS then presented awards to the honorees of the 2022 Healing for Heroes; Patricia Deshong of Southampton Animal Shelter, Jean Shafiroff, Philanthropist and author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a LIfe By What You Give and Jim Pierson received the award on behalf of the Doris Day Animal Foundation.
Honoree, Patricia Deshong
Photo by Jeff Smith
David Tupper and his canine companion, Yellin.
Photo by Jeff Smith
Members of the 1st Marine Corps District
Photo by Jeff Smith
CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman and Monsignor Hilary Franco
Photo by Jeff Smith
Notable Attendees included; Jean Shafiroff, CMSgt Ret. Ed Schloeman, Pat Deshong, Monsignor Hilary Franco, Medal of Honor Recipient Paul Bucha, Deputy Inspector Mark Wachter NYPD, David Tupper & Yellin, Judge Jeanine Pirro, Lorri Scott, Marvin Scott, Nene Kodjoe, Rebecca Seawright, Errol Rappaport, Tatyana Horoshko, Judy Gilbert, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Luigi Nicolae, Michelle DellaFave, Barry Fixler, Patric Hale, The Honorable Randall Eng and Jim Pierson.
CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman
Photo by Jeff Smith
Healing for Heroes Sponsors included: The Doris Day Animal Foundation, David Lynch Foundation, Interstate Toyota, Helen Buford, John Legere, Pharmasphere, Soho Johnny, American Legion Post 1291, Beyond Steel, Ray Brumfield, Francesca De Vito, Barry Fixler, Elisabeth Halfpapp, Jobpaths, Patrick Kernan, Teddy Maldonado, NYPD Health and Wellness Section, Anthony Rodriguez, Edward Shloeman, Schloeman Family, Jean Shafiroff, Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, T-Mobile, John Walsh, Wendy Waugh, Westgate Hotel, Wilem Wong and Veterans Airlift Command.
Medal of Honor recipient, Peter Bucha, Honoree, Jean Shafiroff and CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman
Photo by Jeff Smith
Lorraine Silvetz, Rachel Jurist, James Manicone, Flora and Liza Pllumaj
Photo by Jeff Smith
Jim Pierson and CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman and Canine Companion
Photo by Jeff Smith
About Operation Warrior Shield:
Operation Warrior Shield is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, whose primary mission is to provide comprehensive support programs for service members, veterans and first responders, with a focus on “Healing Their Hidden Wounds” through no-cost holistic wellness services. For more information, visit www.operationwarriorshield.org and follow @operationwarriorshield on Facebook
Honoree, Patricia Deshong and CmSgt (ret) Ed Schloeman
Photo by Jeff Smith
About Patricia Deshong:
Patricia Deshong joined the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation in mid-December 2021 after they reached out to her seeking an Executive Director with experience. She is a seasoned animal nonprofit executive with several years of experience leading Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, the largest no-kill animal shelter in Palm Beach North County. Deshong grew the failing nonprofit from bankruptcy into a debt-free organization with a new 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility unveiled in 2020. In 2014, she established their service dog program resulting in the placement of numerous trained service dogs to Veterans.
Tatyana Horoshko and Canine Companion, Yellin
Photo by: Jeff Smith
Since joining SASF, Deshong has joined forces with Operation Warrior Shield to support the Operation Canine Companion program. In this short period, two trained rescue dogs have been placed with two deserving recipients, and funding has been raised for at least 6 more. Deshong was listed in 2019, 2020 & 2021 as one of the 25 Most Powerful People/Leaders of Palm Beach County.
Dr JP Farrell, Jennifer Harrison, Flora and Liza Pllumaj, Tess Camacho, Lorraine Silvetz, Dr Judy Kuriansky, Rachel Jurist, James Manicone. Sitting: Julianne Michelle, Sara Johnson Kaplan and Dr. Robert Silvetz
Photo by: Jeff Smith
About Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation:
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation (SASF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, open admission, no kill shelter that relies on the generosity of their donors and volunteers to care to for the homeless animals in its community, and to place them in loving “forever homes.” Whether caring for strays found wandering the streets, rescuing neglected and abandoned animals, or saving dogs from the horrors of the puppy mill industry, the shelter is a safe haven for all animals and for some, a last resort. The shelter provides a stepping stone for animals to find a loving home.
Jean Shafiroff and Tatyana Horoshko
Photo by: Jeff Smith
About Jean Shafiroff:
Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer, and the author of the book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give”. Jean is often referred to as “the first lady of philanthropy” by the press because of her generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. She serves on the boards of many charitable organizations and each year chairs upwards of eight different charity galas. Among the many causes she champions are those involved in women’s rights, rights of the underserved, health care, and animal welfare.
David Tupper showing painting of Jerry Yellin and dog Yellin by Tatyana Horoshko
Photo by: Jeff Smith
Jean serves on the boards of the American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, NYC Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of the Museum at FIT, Casita Maria, NY Women’sFoundation, Global Strays, New York Women’s Foundation, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. A Catholic, she served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years and now is one of their honorary trustees.
Jean served as the national spokesperson for the American Humane’s “Feed the Hungry” Covid-19 program, an initiative that raised $1,000,000 to provide food for over 1,000,000 animals living in 109 different shelters across the United States. She is the Ambassador for the Southampton Animal Shelter.
Honoree, Jean Shafiroff with her portrait by amazing artist, Tatyana Horoshko
Photo by: Jeff Smith
For her philanthropy Jean has been honored many times by groups including the American Humane, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New York City Mission Society, Southampton Animal Shelter,Surgeons of Hope, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, Health Advocates for Older People, Youth Counselling League, the NYC International Film Festival Foundation, the Jewish Board, and the Hadassah. In December 2020 Dan’s Paper named her Philanthropist of the Year at their Long Island Power Women’s Award Ceremony.
Jennifer Harrison, Sara Johnson Kaplan, James Manicone, Rachel Jurist, Lorraine Silvetz, David Tupper, Yellin and Errol Rappaport
Photo by: Jeff Smith
Jean is the producer and host of the television show “Successful Philanthropy” which airs six times weekly through LTV studios in East Hampton, NY, and then several times each week on Sun20TV in Southampton, NY. On her TV program Jean interviews politicians, celebrities, business and philanthropic leaders, and has even on one occasion interviewed a U.S. presidential candidate.
Dr. Judy Kuriansky, David Tupper, Yellin and Errol Rappaport
Photo by: Jeff Smith
Special Thanks to: Judy Schloeman, Michael Heil, Bethann Carbone, Sarah Strauss and Maria Rodriguez.
For more information about Jean Shafiroff, please visit: jeanshafiroff.com. For more information about Patricia Deshong, please visit www.southamptonanimalshelter.com. And for more information on the Doris Day Animal Foundation, please visit www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org.
Honoree, Jean Shafiroff and Actress, Julianne Michelle
Photo by: Jeff Smith
SINATRA IN LOOK AND SOUND STARRING BOB ANDERSON AND A 32-PIECE ORCHESTRA, 12/11/22