The Southampton Hospital Foundation has announced that Cindy Willis and Sandra McConnell will chair this year's Annual Summer Party, By the Sea. Catherine Malandrino, renowned French fashion designer, has accepted the honorary chairmanship for the popular dinner-dance, which benefits the Hospital's Department of Emergency Medicine. The evening's festivities will take place Saturday evening, August 5, under the tents on Wickapogue Road, Southampton.

Cindy Willis

"We are extremely pleased that Ms. Willis and Ms. McConnell have agreed to lead the committee for the 48th Annual Summer Party and that Ms. Malandrino will join them as honorary chair," said Nora C. Perry, Foundation President. "They are all committed to creating an extraordinary event, one that will continue to be the highlight of the Hamptons' social season. More importantly, they are dedicated to ensuring that the Hospital's Department of Emergency Medicine continues its long-standing tradition of providing excellent emergency services to our community's residents and visitors."

Ms. Willis, who co-chaired last year's successful event, has been an active volunteer for the Summer Party for the past 16 years. A resident of Southampton, she is President of the Southampton Garden Club, a member of the New York Junior League's Thanksgiving Eve Ball Committee and served for many years on the Board of Trustees of the Morriss Center School in Bridgehampton. Ms. Willis' family is also involved with Southampton Hospital. Her husband, Ladd, is Treasurer of the Hospital's Board and their teenage daughter, Haley, has sold Summer Party raffle tickets for the past 10 years.

Ms. McConnell, an interior decorator, is an active volunteer serving on the Boards of the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF) and Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club and is a member of the Neil A. McConnell Foundation. She has two teenage children, Charles and Theodora. Ms. McConnell resides in New York City and Southampton.

Ms. Malandrino began her career as a fashion designer in Paris before launching her own label in 1998. Her collections, known for their unique silhouettes and craftsmanship, are favorites of Mary J. Blige, Madonna, Heidi Klum and other noted celebrities. Her fashions can be found at Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, her own showroom locales in New York, Paris and East Hampton, and select shops worldwide.

Sandra McConnell

Southampton Hospital's Annual Summer Party has a rich history that began in 1968. Over the years, this event has been the highlight of the Hamptons' social season and was hailed by the New York Times as the "grande dame" of the Hamptons summer charity circuit. The 2006 gala attendees will dance to the music of The Stingers, bask in décor by Tony Urrutia and enjoy an elegant catered supper. Also featured is the very popular silent auction with a multitude of luxury items for the highest bidders, along with a raffle of fabulous and extravagant trips and prizes.

The popular Associates After-Party has chosen the theme Club Cabana and promises an exciting late-night venue for the younger set. The chairs for the After-Party, Cristina Greeven Cuomo, Andrea Greeven Douzet and Rob Fox, cordially invite the under-35 crowd to join them and "bring a crowd of their friends to dance the night away while supporting Southampton Hospital, an indispensable Hamptons institution."

"Southampton Hospital is a vital part of our community and we, as members of that community, know how important our support is. The proceeds from this fundraising event will bolster the continuation and expansion of the Hospital's emergency medicine readiness and technology," said Ms. Willis. Added Ms. McConnell, "Joining the Southampton Hospital Benefit Committee brings me closer to our community and its issues of utmost importance, most particularly our immediate healthcare needs. It is my priority to help strengthen the charitable contributions to the Hospital to enhance our access to emergency and long-term healthcare services of the highest level." Ms. Malandrino added, "As a member of the Hamptons community, I am honored to lend my support to Southampton Hospital. The evening promises to be 'une grand fete' for a wonderful cause and I applaud the chairs for their celebrated fundraising efforts." Jointly, the three women are "determined to make this year's Summer Party, By the Sea, the most successful ever and to uphold its reputation as the largest and most celebrated fundraiser in the Hamptons."