April 6, 2015
Media Contact: Corrie Edwards
561-683-3287 / cedwards@bgcpbc.org
Event Contact: Kristen Cummins
561-683-3287 / kcummins@bgcpbc.org
Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club Celebrates ‘Polo Chic’ Day
Proceeds Benefit Club Members in Wellington
WELLINGTON, Florida (April 6, 2015) – 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 match on Sunday, March 15. The second annual event raised $222,000 for the local Wellington Club. This year’s chairmen were Joe & Diana DiMenna, Marwan Mohey-El-Dien & Laura Guarisco, Marc & Melissa Ganzi and Ray & 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 Ralph Lauren’s ‘face of polo’ Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras and America’s Most Wanted/ The Hunt star John Walsh, the honorary event chairmen, along with polo pros, Nic Roldan, Gillian Johnston, Mariano Gonzales, Magoo Laprida, Miguel Novillo-Astrada and Gonzalito Pieres. Over three hundred guests, including Rotarians and Club members, were present to watch the match.
The Grand Champions Polo Club team featuring Melissa Ganzi, Gillian Johnston, Nacho Figueras and Nic Roldan won the polo match. Nacho Figueras was named Most Valuable Player. Figueras scored two goals. Joe DiMenna’s dark bay mare, Sombrilla, was named best playing pony.
The celebrity polo match was followed by brunch at International Polo Club Palm Beach. Over two hundred guests had an opportunity to view an impressive silent auction that included a Stefano Laviano pop culture clutch, golf foursomes, a crystal bleached fox cape, equestrian international artwork and much more. The live auction featured fabulous items including polo lessons with Nic Roldan, Jeff Hall, Kris Kampsen and Brandon Phillips, a Barton & Gray yacht experience and John Walsh and Nacho Figueras game worn jerseys.
Club members were an integral part of the celebration. Harley Vernati from the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club joined alumnus, Michael Miranda, in the singing of the national anthem at both venues. Club member Demetreous Holden, joined by his father and older brother, shared his story and the importance of the Club to him and his family to the brunch attendees.
“Demetrous 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 seeing the support of 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, Grand Champions Polo Club and Guarisco Gallery. Chukker Benefactors included James J. and Lisa W. Zenni Foundation and Gillian Johnston. International Polo Club Palm Beach was the Gold Benefactor. Silver Benefactors included Advanced Mental Health- Lab2Home, Delaware North Companies and Polo Gear. Bronze Benefactors included Alonso & Associates, Brooks Bishop, Concord Engineering, ELMS Foundation, Health Care REIT, Inc., Robert & Ann Fromer, The Steve Van Andel Foundation, Steven N. Rappaport & Judith A. Garson and Windsor Marketing Group.
Underwriters went above and beyond to help make the event a success: International Polo Club (brunch), Grand Champions Polo Club (celebrity polo match), PDQ (Club member t-shirts and halftime lunch), Rabbit Coffee Roasting Company (coffee), Polo Gear (guest, MVP and best playing pony gifts and jerseys), Print it Plus (programs), Signs by Tomorrow (signage and step & repeat), Van Dell (trophies), Accurate Event Group (valet) and Tito’s Handmade Vodka (vodka), Dunkin Donuts (Club member breakfast) and Buffalo Wild Wings (Club member lunch).
Assisting this year’s event chairmen were committee members Juan Salinas-Bentley, Michelle Hall and Christin Rutz.
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. This Club provides services during non-school hours, as well as Summer Camp opportunities, to over 550 boys and girls from ages 6-18 throughout the County. 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 6,000 children ages 6-18. For more information, please visit www.bgcpbc.org or call 561-683-3287.
