Whispers With Gina Glickman

CHARITY CRAWL

“You may ask yourself, where does that highway lead to?”

How about a car ride along Fundraiser Row? Safe to say the Talking Heads weren’t referring to Route 27 in their cult classic single, “Once In A Lifetime.” But, play along with me here and imagine gas didn’t cost almost five dollars a gallon. Now imagine you don’t care about the cost of gas because money is no object. You are on a gallant mission to bring a hot date and hit every single charity event this Saturday, June 25, 2011. Why? Well, for starters, it’s for charity, duh! Secondly, speaking from first-hand experience, it would be inspiring to learn about the numerous worthy causes that serve the East End communities. And, no…you don’t have to be a Kennedy or have a personal connection to attend. [expand]

Noon, first stop on the charity crawl is in East Hampton at the sprawling oceanfront estate of Loida Nicolas Lewis for the 4th annual Reginald F. Lewis Foundation Gala Luncheon to benefit the RFL Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. The late Lewis established the first African American law firm on Wall Street. You can expect this year’s event chair and RFL’s daughter Leslie Lewis Sword and Emcee WCBS Anchor Maurice DuBois to welcome you to a buffet lunch and summer cocktails next to Jamie Foxx, who will introduce former NFL player Eugene Profit as this year’s RFL Foundation Honoree. D.J. MOS is in charge of the beats. Tickets are $550 per person.

Next stop, just a few minutes away, catch a first look at two new nature-based exhibits at the Guild Hall Museum’s Opening Reception of Bryan Hunt and Clifford Ross. Hunt’s exhibit focuses on the modernist sculptor’s water-themed works, while innovative photographer Clifford Ross’s collection centers on shots of mountains and hurricanes. Back in the convertible you go to crawl over and help preserve the Nature Conservancy at its annual Beaches & Bays Gala, in East Hampton. Tickets are $600.

Cruise over to the 16th Annual Artist Against Abuse Gala to benefit The Retreat (free domestic violence services) in Bridgehampton at the Ross School Lower Fieldhouse. Alexandra Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos are the celebrity hosts of the evening. Sip cocktails and dine alongside Bravo’s Real Housewife of NYC, Ramona Singer. As Emcee, I am happy to help you choose which Artwork to invest in during the live auction. You may have to outbid the gala’s honoree, Mariska Hargitay. Tickets are $250.

Back to the crawl, stop by the Hayground School in Bridgehampton for the 15th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball, where Good Day New York on WNYW-Fox 5’s Co-host, Rosanna Scotto will serve as Emcee and Star Jones will receive the “Humanitarian with Heart” award. Tickets are $500.

Shoes are optional when you arrive at the Wölffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack to join the Barefoot Contessa Ina Garten and special guest Alec Baldwin for the Barefoot Under the Stars fête to benefit the Group for the East End. Tickets are $450.00.

Next stop, the oceanfront estate of Margie and Michael Loeb on Meadow Lane in Southampton for the Annual Phoenix House gala to benefit substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery support services. The evening is hosted by Gossip Girl star Kelly Rutherford and Royal Pains star Mark Feuerstein. The festivities will honor Elie Tahari and Julie and Brice Menin. Tickets are $250.

Keep crawling over to Quogue at the Sandacres Estate to stop by and support the East End Hospice Annual Summer Gala. 11 p.m., Last stop on the crawl will take you back to where it all started in East Hampton to the Retreat’s Artist Against Abuse official after party at Georgica on Montauk Highway and Wainscott Stone Road. Music by D.J. Price.

Now, you may ask yourself, how much would it cost to attend every single charity event this Saturday? The answer is a mere $5.6k, which is partially tax deductible.

Gina Glickman Giordan is a TV Host, News Correspondent, Executive Producer and founder of GMG Entertainment. Watch Giordan’s exclusive celebrity interviews and event-life coverage series, “In The Mixx” on People Magazine TV, Hamptons Magazine TV, Dan’s Tube and InTheMixxShow.com. [/expand]