Bridgehampton - Last Saturday, July 30, 2011, the Bridgehampton home of Steve Klein played host to the annual HEAT Gala presented by the Ellen Hermanson Foundation honoring Kim Cattrall, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. The HEAT Gala is the pre-event for Ellen's Run which raises money for the Ellen Hermanson Breast Center at Southampton Hospital. With many great auction prizes up for the taking, Wolffer Estate Vineyard wines being passed and hors d'doeuvres served by Food For Forks, the night was a great success for a tremendous cause.

Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb are all smiles. (Christopher Beninati)

This year's HEAT gala welcomed fashion icon Donna Karan and actress Laura Linney as honorary chairs along with mistress of ceremonies Rosanna Scotto from Fox Five News and an impressive list of event chairs including Adam Alpert, Mark Birnbaum, Liz Gatley, Kelly Klein, Hope Klein, Samantha Yanks, Gail Tobias,andEugene Remm.

The Ellen Hermanson Foundation was established in 1997 with the mission to carry on the tradition of Ellen's goal of her own life in educating and building awareness of the harsh disease. Ellen lost her life in 1995 but today the center at Southampton Hospital is dedication to her and what she stood for in educating woman about breast cancer, psychological support as well raising monetary support for research.

On site there was many fun and interactive ways to donate to the Ellen Hermanson Foundation including a silent auction which held great prizes such as a cooking class with Rao's restaurant head Chef Dino Gatte, tickets to attend the mecca of golf tournaments The Masters and a personalized autographed basketball by New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. Other ways to donate were by www.charitybuzz.com with computers on site to place your bids for some of the most lavish and fun prizes anyone could ask for including a two-night stay at The Saxon in South Africa, a custom made rose, gold and lavender amethyst and Diamond ring from Jacqueline Diani and a personalized autographed book by President Bill Clinton. Charity Buzz helps fundraisers get the most exclusive and most wanted memorabilia and experiences one can ask for all in the name of charity around the world.

Mistress of Ceremonies Rosanna Scotto. (Christopher Beninati)

President of the Ellen Hermanson Foundation Dr. Julie Ratner has dedicated her life to making the most out of Ellen's mission as well as making sure these events are a success. "Leading up to a party such as this always entails a lot of anxiety for me" explained the nervous Ratner. Soon however the nerves settled and her vision was becoming a successful reality another year, "When I arrived my heart soared to see so many people all having a great time. I thought the ambiance at the party was warm, happy and up-beat." These events held every year are very fun and motivational however is a reminder to a great friend who is dearly missed. "For me, the party means another chance to celebrate Ellen, get our name into the community and reinforce our name in people's minds and make the money necessary to continue our work in the community."

Dr. Ratner, on behalf of the entire Ellen Hermanson Foundation, honored Catrall, Gifford and Kotb for their influence to woman all over about breast cancer and the support they hold as being public figures. Kotb is a cancer survivor and was able to pass along her own words of wisdom and encouragement to guests throughout the night. Catrall's character Samantha in the movie "Sex and the City" confronts the realities of having the disease and became a leader to those with the cancer for the touching role. Most people have been affected by breast cancer or know someone who has; therefore these events to support great causes like the Ellen Hermanson foundation are truly special on many levels.

This cocktail gala was the pre-event to the 16th Annual Ellen's Run which will take place on Sunday, August 21.