Water Mill - Last week Duck Walk Vineyards hosted sports commentator and celebrity golf analyst Ann Liguori's annual Hamptons soiree in support of children health services.

Singer/song writer Dillon Dixon provided the entertainment at the Ann Liguori Foundation Dinner Dance at Dulk Walk Vineyards. (Douglas Harrington)

Great music, great food and a great time were had by a turnout of supporters that appeared to double last year's event attendance.

Liguori's fabulous July dinner dance endeavors to raise funds for Camp Adventure on Shelter Island, a camp for children with cancer and their siblings. The Ann Liguori Foundation also underwrites nutrition education programs in middle schools throughout the East End of Long Island and nutrition education assemblies performed by nutritionist/musician Jill Jayne, MS RD, and her Nutrition Education Through Entertainment program.

Each year Outback Steakhouse generously partners with Liguori by not only supplying the scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and a delicious buffet, but their employees volunteer their own free time to prepare the feast, wait the tables and work the bar, this year pouring fabulous specialty cocktails like Black Cherry Peach Mojitos and New South Wales Sangria. Newcomer REVE Vodka provided their delicious Rocky Mountain distilled potable and award winning singer and songwriter Dillon Dixon provided the evening's entertainment, which included the annual dance contest.

Among the almost 300 guests in attendance were Hall of Fame New York Ranger hockey great Rod Gilbert and New York Jets Pro Bowl wide receiver Wesley Walker. Both men, now retired from pro sports, are friends of Ligouri and active charity fundraisers and humanitarians in their own rights and were so honored at this year's event.


The first Ranger to have his number retired, Sag Harbor resident Gilbert commented, "I am so pleased to be here. Ann throws a great event and this is such a wonderful cause in support of children who are in the fight for their lives as they battle cancer."

"Number one, Ann Ligouri is a dear friend of mine and as an educator I am happy to be associated with any charitable event that helps children. I may be here as the sports celebrity to help draw people to the event, but it is the people who donate their time and money that are the people that need to be applauded," noted the humble Walker, who is now a physical education teacher at Park View Elementary School in Kings Park.

Other notables in attendance were Hamptons Realtor Gary DePersia, Hotel Indigo owner Rob Salvatico and his wife Cynthia, local radio personalities Dr. Wally Smith and Bonnie Grice of WPBB and award winning CBS medical journalist Dr. Max Gomez, among many others.


Along with sports memorabilia, vacation stays, gift baskets and other items that made up a very eclectic silent raffle was a pop-up Chic Boutique by Barbara Bennet. Proceeds from her line of jewelry and accessories were donated to the evening's cause.

Duck Walk owner Alex Damianos was once again on hand as his staff poured a selection of his fabulous wines at this enormously popular South Fork vineyard. This active and altruistic vintner graciously hosts the event every year, which features a fundraising putting contest on a permanent putting green off the back of his outdoor tasting patio.

Once again, the Ann Liguori Foundation has succeeded in blending sports and charity in support of heroic children battling cancer and in support of education programs that promote children's health. As Liguori noted, "For over 15 years we have supported the American Cancer Society and in addition, the Foundation is proud to bring the 'Healthy Children, Healthy Futures' national program, which teaches young people about good nutrition, to the East End of Long Island."