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Cause For Celebration

For local hamptonites and philanthropists amy and gary green, giving back is a family tradition.

As the founder of the Green Vision Foundation, longtime New Yorker and former Fox sports journalist Amy Green (@amy_heart_green) clearly has a passion for philanthropy—and throwing a spectacular party.

With the season in full swing, she has her sights set on her Footprint of Life Gala, taking place Aug. 24 in Bridgehampton. We checked in with the chic, multitasking mom to learn more about her philanthropic efforts—and her favorite spots for summering around the East End.

Tell Us About Your Charity, The Green Vision Foundation.

My husband, Gary, and I founded the Green Vision Foundation together. The foundation hopes to create a movement that will bring like-minded organizations together to use the power of collective thinking to bring real change.

My passions include anti-poaching, conservation, rainforest preservation and climate change.

What Inspired You And Your Husband To Branch Out And Create Your Own Organization?

I am an ambassador for TUSK and ACCF—both of which are amazing and center around anti-poaching, which is my biggest focus.

What I found, though, is that when I am working with these organizations, they really only have the bandwidth to focus on one specific thing at a time, but there are so many more elements that we need to connect.

Our goal with the Green Vision Foundation was to bring these organizations together, so that we could build a larger community outreach platform and solve these problems together.

For example, there are communities in Africa that don’t know how to provide for themselves, so they pay small amounts of money to kill the animals.
Now, we can step in and provide education for them to do tourism, grow their own food and create their own fertilizer. But, in order to do that, we have to have the resources.

With all of the organizations linked together, we have a pathway for them to connect, and help source solutions to not one problem, but all of the problems regarding conservation.

What Would You Say Is a Driving Force
Behind Your Philanthropy?

I always say protecting the environment has always been my passion—especially because it took me a long time to have my children. I had a lot of fertility issues, and when I had my two daughters, I thought about these things so much more.
I want to be able to preserve the earth and its incredible creatures. It was something I truly felt like I had a calling to. I was driven to do this because I want them to have a beautiful life one day.

I don’t want them to wake up and not know what these animals are. It’s scary to think about, but it’s real!

You have the first Footprint of Life Gala in the Hamptons coming up Aug. 24. What can you buzz

This is acting as our introductory event. The gala is bringing five curated charities together to aid

• anti-poaching,
• rainforest conservation,
• hunger crisis and
• environmental protection efforts.

It’s really quite incredible because we have five standout organizations involved.

• TUSK,
• ACCF,
• UNICEF,
• the Zangrillo Family Foundation and
• Green Vision

are all bringing something unique to the table.
Each charity will bring speakers and conservation experts from all over the world, coming together as one and creating real solutions to various problems in all conservation areas.

You Mentioned This Is Acting As An Introductory Event. How Can We Expect To See The Gala Grow In The Upcoming Year?

This is a gala that we’re planning to expand and do in multiple locations around the country. I live in the Hamptons and have a lot of friends and partnerships here, so it’s the perfect location to debut the event.

Later this year, we’re planning to have the next gala in Miami during Art Basel, and then we’ll hopefully have two more to follow in the later months.

I view the Footprint of Life Gala as more of a movement rather than just one event. We’re hoping that we continue to grow each event and work with even more charities and organizations as we go on.

What Made You Decide On The Hamptons For The Gala’s First Location?

I think the thing that is so important for me to start the journey here is that obviously we’re longtime New Yorkers and we have our roots here, but I also love the attitudes toward philanthropy and the work that happens around the East End.

Everyone is so generous and kind. They truly do want to do good for the community and beyond, and that’s why I wanted to have my first gala here.

It’s a great way to represent our roots and celebrate being longtime New Yorkers. … I’m just so proud to be able to introduce this beautiful gala and beautiful movement to everyone.

What Is Your Favourite Part About Life On The East End?

We spend the majority of our summers out here in the Hamptons and we overall love the slow-living lifestyle.

We always love having our terrific private chef, Richard Pims, come cook these beautiful meals, and hosting our friends and family at the house.

I have my favorites spots, of course! O by Kissaki, Sí Sí, LuLu Kitchen & Bar and Sant Ambroeus Southampton for food; all of the cute fruit stands and farmers markets like Round Swamp Farm; and Homenature for all of my home goods.

It’s so nice to be able to travel to the different towns and try something new. The Hamptons does the relaxing, summer lifestyle so well—like no one else, really!