Southampton’s summer season has long been a showcase for elegance, philanthropy, and purpose, but this year a new highlight graced the Hamptons calendar: the Sunflower Soirée in support of ACE Programs for the Homeless. Held at the gracious Whitefield estate on Hill Street, the event brought together philanthropists, community leaders, and supporters for a day and evening that radiated warmth, optimism, and the promise of transformation. It was a celebration not only of summer in Southampton but of the enduring commitment to those in need, anchored by the tireless advocacy of longtime ACE champion Henry Buhl.

Among the guests the stunning Hollywood Actress Leesa Rowland

The day began with an air of camaraderie and competition as guests gathered for a lively pickleball tournament. With cheers echoing across the courts, friends and newcomers alike bonded over the spirited play. The energy of the morning was infectious, setting the tone for the hours that followed. At the close of the tournament, a trio of winning teams emerged, their victories adding sparkle to the day. Yet the true triumph was not on the scoreboard, but in the unifying sense of joy that carried through into the evening.

As twilight fell and the Hamptons sky turned soft with summer hues, Whitefield was transformed into an oasis of elegance. Guests strolled through the manicured gardens, cocktails in hand, sharing laughter and conversation as the glow of candlelight and the rhythm of live music filled the air. Dinner unfolded with ease and sophistication, and throughout the evening there was a palpable sense of community—a gathering of people bound not just by friendship, but by a collective belief in ACE’s mission of empowerment.

Faces both familiar and new added to the resonance of the evening. Among those present were Henry Buhl, Dale and Renee Schlather, Stephanie Rader, Matthew Gibson, Ellie Manko, Ginger and Larry Leeds, Nancy Ross, and Debbie Farrington, each lending their presence and support to the cause. Their attendance underscored a shared recognition that philanthropy is not only an act of giving but a responsibility to uplift those who strive to reclaim their place in society. Conversations swirled with purpose, and more than once the night was punctuated by reflections on the meaningful work ACE continues to carry out across New York City.

The soirée also served as a prelude to an even grander celebration on the horizon—the highly anticipated ACE Dream Gala, to be held on October 9, 2025, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City. Guests spoke with enthusiasm about the upcoming evening, which will feature a special performance by Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday and honor Henry Hay and Andrew Torrey for their commitment to ACE’s vision. The Sunflower Soirée was, in many ways, a graceful overture, reminding everyone present of the greater symphony of hope and action to come.

At the heart of the gathering was the work of ACE, the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless, whose mission has changed countless lives. For over three decades, ACE has walked alongside New Yorkers overcoming homelessness, incarceration, and addiction, offering job training, work opportunities, and lifelong support systems that allow participants to achieve stability and independence. The stories of transformation inspired by ACE are as radiant as the sunflower, a symbol of resilience and light, and they formed the unspoken centerpiece of the evening’s celebrations.

As the final notes of music floated across the gardens and guests bid one another farewell under the starry Southampton sky, there was a sense that something remarkable had been planted. The Sunflower Soirée was not merely a summer highlight, nor just another elegant evening in the Hamptons. It was a gathering that sowed seeds of hope, nurtured by the generosity and compassion of those who came together with purpose. Southampton shone that night, not only with the beauty of its landscape and society but with the brilliance of a community committed to giving others the chance to bloom.