Media Contact: Maria Curreri
561-683-3287 / mcurreri@bgcpbc.org
Event Contact: Kristen Cummins
561-683-3287 / kcummins@bgcpbc.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club Celebrates ‘Polo Chic’ Day
Proceeds Benefit Club Members in Wellington
WELLINGTON, Florida – Grand Champions Polo Club and International Polo Club Palm Beach celebrated the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club and honored its namesake with a day of polo on Sunday, March 13. The third annual event raised over $250,000 for the local Wellington Club. This year’s co-chairmen were Marc and Melissa Ganzi, and Ray and Terrie Mooney.
The Boys & Girls Club Great Futures Polo Day kicked off with a celebrity, three team, round robin polo at Grand Champions Polo Club. The match featured honorary event chairmen Ralph Lauren’s ‘face of polo’ Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras and America’s Most Wanted/ The Hunt star John Walsh, along with professional polo players Joe DiMenna, Martin Pepa, Juan Bollini, Juan Olivera, Riley Ganzi, Stewart Armstrong, Annabelle Gundlach, Leo Mandlebaum, Brandon Phillips and Malcom Borwick.
The Equuleus team featuring Joe DiMenna, Martin Pepa, Juan Bollini and Juan Olivera won the polo match. Riley Ganzi was named Most Valuable Player and John Walsh’s black mare was named best playing pony.
The celebrity polo match was followed by a brunch at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Two hundred guests had an opportunity to view an impressive silent auction that included an oil portrait of Neil S. Hirsch, golf foursomes at both Palm Beach Polo and Jonathan’s Landing, a stay at EAU Palm Beach and much more. The live auction featured fabulous items including Sheriff for a Day, a fighter pilot experience, a trip to Brazil, and John Walsh and Nacho Figueras autographed game worn jerseys.
Club members were an integral part of the celebration. The chorus from the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club sang the national anthem at both venues. During brunch, Club member Juan Ariza, shared his personal story and the importance of the Club to him and his mom, moving guests to rise to their feet for a standing ovation. “Juan is just one example of how the Boys & Girls Clubs are working to change these children’s lives,” said Jaene Miranda, President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. “What a wonderful experience to see the polo community support the Wellington Club and its mission.”
This year’s sponsors played a vital role in the success of the event. Grand Patron Benefactors included Equuleus Polo Team/Joe and Diana DiMenna, and Grand Champions Polo Club. Chukker Benefactors included Riley Ganzi, Annabelle Gundlach and Leo Mandlebaum. International Polo Club and Neil S. Hirsch were both Gold Benefactors. Advanced Mental Health Care was the Silver Benefactor. Bronze Benefactors included Brooks Bishop and Olympia Shields, Chauncey F. Lufkin III, Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. Personal Injury Attorneys, James J. and Lisa W. Zenni Foundation, Robert and Ann Fromer, Steven N. Rappaport and Judith A. Garson, The Steve and Amy Van Andel Foundation, Waste Management and Welltower Inc. The exclusive magazine sponsor was Palm Beach Illustrated.
Underwriters went above and beyond to help make the event a success: Grand Champions Polo Club (celebrity polo match), Excel Fleet Services (centerpieces), Nicolette Goldfarb (champagne), Buffalo Wild Wings (Club members lunches), Seminole Casino Coconut Creek (gift bags & steak sauces), Polo Gear (polo jerseys & Club members t-shirts), Regency (kids area), Sheryel Ashcroft (photography), Print It Plus (printing of program), Rabbit Coffee Roasting Co. Coffee (Grand Champions Polo Club), Signs By Tomorrow (signage and step & repeat), Van Dell (trophies), Accurate Event Group (valet) and Vodka (Tito’s Handmade Vodka).
Proceeds from the day’s event benefit the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Clubs of Wellington, one of thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The Club provides services during non-school hours, as well as Summer Camp opportunities, to over 600 boys and girls from ages 6-18 throughout Wellington. The Club emphasizes educational, vocational, social, recreational, health, leadership and character building skills in a positive and safe atmosphere. Through quality programs, the Club experience provides children with the guidance they need to make a healthy transition from childhood to young adulthood.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club Great Futures Polo Day, contact Kristen Cummins at kcummins@bgcpbc.org. Visit www.bgcpbc.org or call (561) 683-3287 to find out more information about the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club or the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Inc.
About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County
Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. The Clubs provide more than a safe, fun and constructive alternative to being home alone – they offer a variety of award-winning developmental programs to help youth build skills, self-esteem and values during critical periods of growth. The thirteen Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Palm Beach County serve more than 8,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
