Over $500,000 Raised at Polo for a Purpose Charity Polo Match
Horse power and star power team up in Wellington to raise over half a million dollars to benefit pediatric cancer patients and their families
WELLINGTON, FLORIDA (January 27, 2020) Polo for Life hosted 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.
The real celebration began after the polo match with a sit-down dinner sponsored by the KVMB Foundation. The elegant crowd enjoyed several courses of modern Indian cuisine followed by a live auction. The highlight of the day came when pediatric cancer patients and their families shared their stories. In a particularly touching moment, nine-year-old cancer patient Emma LaPaglia 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 it was very humbling to have Emma present me the Hero Award, I was not expecting that!”
The 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.
About Polo for Life
Polo for Life, Inc., founded by Terrie Mooney and Brandon Phillips, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help support pediatric cancer patients and their families. In 2014, Terrie and Brandon created Polo for a Purpose, a charity polo match and dinner to benefit pediatric cancer patients in the local Palm Beach community. Brandon, a childhood non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor and professional polo player, is passionate about giving back to the community that supported him. To date, Polo for Life has raised nearly two million dollars to support children battling pediatric cancer.
For more information, visit poloforlife.org.