We couldn’t have done it without your support! We are thrilled to announce that over half a million dollars was raised at the Sixth Annual Polo for a Purpose: Passage to India, presented by Postage Stamp Farm Foundation. The charity polo event was held on January 20, 2020 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach and raised more than $500,000 to help pediatric cancer patients and their families in neighboring communities. During the opening ceremonies, the polo players each took the field joined by a pediatric cancer patient donning a matching jersey. Team Monarch Reign, captained by Ashley Busch, U.S. Polo Assn. brand ambassador, beat Team Horse Scout, captained by Horse Scout CEO Lucienne Elms, eight to four after a fast-paced match.
Over 1,000 guests kicked off the afternoon by exploring the Vendor Village and Kids Zone. During the match, guests enjoyed an Indian inspired cocktail reception sponsored by Lisa Torell and Mark Finerman and co-chaired by PJ Rizvi and Visse Wedell. Held on the Pavilion terrace, the cocktail reception featured lavish touches including a live camel, henna tattoo artist, exquisite belly dancers and fine hors d’oeuvres.
However, the real party started at the end of the polo match. A sit-down dinner sponsored by the KVMB Foundation wowed the elegant crowd with several courses of modern Indian cuisine followed by a live auction. Without a doubt, the highlight of the day was listening to pediatric cancer patients and their families share their stories. In a particularly touching moment, pediatric cancer patient Emma LaPaglia (age 9) presented Polo for Life co-founder and pediatric cancer survivor Brandon Phillips with a plaque declaring him a hero.
“This year’s event was a very special year for me,” said Polo for Life co-founder and pediatric cancer survivor Brandon Phillips. “Not only was it Polo For Life’s inaugural year as an organization, but also it was very humbling to have Emma present me the Hero Award — I was not expecting that!”
Best Playing Pony award, sponsored by Five Star Builders, went to Ashley Busch’s Ciril, and the game MVP, sponsored by the Wedell Family Foundation was awarded to Mariano Aguerre.
To date, Polo for Life has raised nearly two million dollars to benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families. All proceeds from the event will support the Pediatric Oncology Support Team in West Palm Beach, Kids Cancer Foundation in Royal Palm Beach, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation in Hollywood, Miami Cancer Institute in Miami and the local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Polo for Life is grateful for all of our 2020 sponsors, including Postage Stamp Farm Foundation, 5 Star Builders, Inc., Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation, Trend Capital, Monarch Reign, Horse Scout, Wedell Family Foundation, Lisa Torell & Mark Finerman, Jennifer and Christian Dahlberg, Peacock Ridge, Baptist Health South Florida, Palm Beach Illustrated, Joe Di Maggio Children’s Health Specialty Center and Haig Landscape. We would also like to thank auctioneer Richard Brierley for his spirited support.
Polo for Life would like to especially thank Postage Stamp Farm Foundation and our other friends for their continued support allowing us to donate 100% of the funds raised to our five beneficiaries.