Ellen and Samy Bitton, Rudy and Judith Giuliani

No one ever said that the Hamptons lack heart, and the love was evident at the 10th annual benefit gala for the American Heart Association at the Diamond Ranch in Water Mill. There, renowned cardiologists and phlebotomists mixed with the social set as Ellen Bitton of Park Avenue Mortgage and Jon Gruen, founder of Gruen Optika, chaired the festivities. CBS 60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley, played master of ceremonies.

Dr. Valentin Fuster, professor of medicine and cardiology at Mount Sinai Hospital, received the prestigious Lewis A. Conner Memorial Award. Dr. Fuster then humorously introduced “Rudy and Judy,” though it is widely known that Mrs. Giuliani prefers being called “Judith” … if you call her Judy, she will correct you! Both were feted with the Humanitarians With Heart Award for their dedication to various heart-related causes.

Giuliani humorously punctuated the silent auction, offering “his hand and ball” after a ball signed on 6/6/06 by Hizzoner had no takers at the opening bid of $5,000. Eventually, the entire package fetched $11,500, but not before Rudy threw more into the pot, lending himself as an escort to a Yankees game, as well as promised handshakes from heartthrob Derek Jeter and Yankees manager Joe Torre. The auction raised over $400,000 for a heartfelt cause.

Ya gotta have heart!