POLO SCENE
N E W S • NO T E S • T R E N D S • Q U O T E S
MUSIC HEAD TO THE EARS Singers help raise money Subhead for childhood cancer
THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC has caused most everything to come to a screeching halt. But something
Tom Blake sings at the Polo for Life benefit at the Blake’s Pine Tree Farms.
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that never stops is children needing life-saving treatment for cancer. Or parents fighting to make ends meet while making sure their children receive the required care. These things are challenging at any time, but the pandemic has made them even harder. Like many non-profits, the pandemic has forced Polo for Life to look at new ways to raise funds as it remains steadfast in its commitment to help ease the financial burdens of families in South Florida struggling with a sick child. The organization, founded by polo player Brandon Phillips, held a socially-distant musical event called Music Under the Stars, featuring musical performances by singer/songwriters Wynn Varble and Tom Blake at the Blake family’s Pine Tree Farms in Wellington, Florida. Over 120 people attended the event, enjoying food donated by Ford’s Garage and wines donated from Out East Wines, while listening to music and generously giving to help Polo for Live continue its mission. Monies raised at the event enable Polo for Life to help support families of pediatric cancer patients meet their financial burdens and obligations. Since 2014, the organization’s marquis event, Polo for a Purpose, has raised over $1.8 million for the benefit of several local organizations, like Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation and Miami Cancer Institute, that provide financial assistance to families impacted by a pediatric cancer diagnosis, fund programs for patients and their families and support child life programs, which provide emotional and psychosocial support during and after treatment. Phillips is a cancer survivor himself. “A large portion of Polo for Life’s donation will be allocated to Baptist Health Foundation’s COVID19 Emergency Relief Fund to immediately assist patients and their families,” said Miami Cancer Institute CEO Dr. Michael Zinner. “Their gift also will contribute to our state-of-the-art proton therapy program, which shows promise particularly in pediatric cancer patients.” Most recently, Polo for Life reported it has directly helped five families by writing checks to cover one month of mortgage payments, seven months of rent payments, two car payments and a car insurance payment. But as you know, monthly bills never stop so neither does the organization. To learn more about the organization or to make a donation, please go to the website at www.poloforlife.com.
