We were so happy to participate in another annual Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink last weekend at Mecox Bay in Bridgehampton, New York. The event benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). It began with a competitive morning paddle board race and ended with an evening sunset party and gourmet food cooked on our Kalamazoo grills and pizza ovens. Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly is the exclusive Long Island dealer for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, and we were proud to partner with Kalamazoo again for a cause that is close to our hearts.
The event was run by an amazing group of people who continue to work tirelessly to raise funds for BCRF. In just three years, the Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink event has raised over $3.5 million with this year’s goal being $1.7 million… just remarkable! BCRF spends 91 cents of every dollar on research and public awareness programs, making it one of our nation’s most fiscally responsible nonprofits. In fact, it is the only breast cancer organization with an “A+” from CharityWatch and has been awarded Charity Navigator’s highest rating of four stars 12 times since 2002.
The evening was graciously hosted by Maria and Larry Baum. Maria was introduced to paddle boarding after being diagnosed with breast cancer and found it to be a positive outlet during her treatment and recovery. In addition to being a mother of four, the CEO of Tracy Anderson, investor, entrepreneur, and a partner of Tutto Il Giorno restaurants, Maria decided to use paddle boarding as a way to raise funds for lifesaving breast cancer research. She is an inspiration to all of us, and her tear-filled words of appreciation moved us tremendously.
Here are some photos from my iPhone…
Inspiring words were shared by Maria Baum, Larry Baum, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tracy Anderson, Lena Dunham, Kinga Lampert… and others. Attendees bid on custom paddle boards designed by Tory Burch, Bethenny Frankel, Donna Karan, La Mer, Aerin Lauder, Nicole Miller, Rachel Zoe, and Oprah. Special guests included Gabby Reece and Laird Hamilton, who signed the boards being auctioned off.
Look whose cooking… Designer Ken Kelly, CKD, CBD, CR of Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc.; Russ Faulk, Vice President of Design for Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet (and author of the amazing book Cook Out); Chris Mordi, Kalamazoo’s Vice President of Communications; and Don Sivesand, Vice President of Sales at Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet.
DJ Brendan Fallis and Hawaiian fire dancer Coppin Colburn (and family) got the party started, and Chic and Nile Rogers performed live music. Nile Rogers told us that he, too, is a cancer survivor.
For more information or to make a donation visit http://hamptonspaddleforpink.org/donate.asp
Posted by Grace Kelly, kitchendesigns.com | © Kitchen Designs by Ken Kelly, Inc, Showroom locations: 26 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 516-746-3435
