HOPE Summer Weekend Brings Awareness to Southampton

Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) hosted a milestone weekend in Southampton, July 31–August 3, culminating in its tenth annual Race of Hope 5K to Defeat Depression. The events drew more than 1,100 participants, raised over $500,000, and highlighted mental health advocacy through a seminar, luncheon, and community-wide initiatives.

The weekend opened with the HOPE Summer Seminar at the Southampton Arts Center, where HDRF Founder Audrey Gruss moderated a conversation with executive coach Catherine Hormats on “How to Beat Burnout.” Gruss then welcomed over 50 committee members, including Louisa Benton, Janna Bullock, Bambi and Roger Felderbaum, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Candace Hamm, Kim Heirston, Simone Levinson, Pamela and Edward Pantzer, Stacey Pashcow and Marc Caputo, Teresa Remez, Anne Sitrick, Mary Snow, Amanda Taylor, Dobi Trendafilova, Sarah Wetenhall, Diego Binetti, Michelle Farmer, Christina Flaherty, Mai Hallingby Harrison, Hollis Bradley Pica, Jean Shafiroff, and Tatiana and Campion Platt, to a celebratory luncheon at Tutto Il Giorno. On Sunday, the 5K filled the Village with a sea of yellow HOPE t-shirts as Celebrity Grand Marshal Alexa Ray Joel joined Gruss to lead the race, with Southampton Mayor William Manger Jr. cheering on participants. More than 100 local retailers displayed HDRF’s signature flags during the Week of Hope, transforming Southampton into a vivid symbol of solidarity for mental health awareness.

Photos by: Eric Striffler and Dan Bassini