Polo in the Ozarks combines sport, philanthropy
Posted on Sunday, September 7, 2008
ANDY SHUPE Northwest Arkansas Times Fabian Silva, left, of the White River Polo Team hits the ball up the field past Roxy Keyfauver of the Red Oaks Ranch Team during the first chukker of the 19 th annual Polo in the Ozarks Saturday at the Buell property in Goshen.
GOSHEN — Munificence joined forces with sport to raise funds to benefit the developmentally disabled at the 19 th annual Polo in the Ozarks held at the farm of Dr. Brian and Donna Buell in Goshen Saturday.
The polo match was the main event but the peripheral attractions were the primary focal point for Life Styles, Inc., a nonprofit organization that strives to serve the needs of the developmentally disabled of Benton and Washington Counties.
“ We had never heard of Life Styles before they approached us to help host this event, ” Donna Buell said. “ Nineteen years later, here we are. It’s been a wonderful event and keeps getting better.
“ This partnership has been so fulfilling for my husband and me, and we’re very grateful of the services that Life Styles is able to provide because of this event. It’s just so much fun and helps so many people who really need it. And the people that benefit from Polo in the Ozarks give back by donating their time to help set up tents and work the event. ”
Last year’s event reached its goal of raising $ 100, 000 to help facilitate the myriad programs Life Styles provides. Life Styles executive director Carol Hart said she borrowed the idea from a similar fundraising event at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, a Houston hospital that helped host a polo match to generate funds for cancer research.
Hart said the record success of last year’s fundraiser boosted this year’s goal of ascending that $ 100, 000 mark.
“ This is of course our most fruitful fundraiser and it grows every year, ” Hart said. “ This year we hope to break our record from last year. ”
The funds generated will help over 150 developmentally challenged citizens gain an edge with sundry education programs geared toward augmenting their skills to aid their assimilation into mainstream society.
“ We’ve been doing this for over 32 years, ” Hart said. “ We go to work every day with the belief that people with disabilities should be part of the community and should be able to participate at every level. Polo in the Ozarks helps make that happen. It’s a great community event and people have really embraced it. It’s a way for them to watch a sport they don’t get to see often and helps us educate the community about our organization. ”
Hart said Life Styles is comprised of three primary programs. The Supportive Living program offers basic life skills curriculum that teaches items such as cooking, cleaning and money management. An Adult Education program features a diverse regimen from social skills and Yoga to computers. Hart said the Employment Program helps serve nearly 100 individuals.
“ We place people in competitive jobs within the community, ” Hart said. “ They work at Tyson’s corporate offices, Wal-Mart, Red Lobster, veterinarian clinics. We get them fully involved at that level. We teach them everything from how to cook a romantic dinner to how to operate computer programs. ”
Each year the Polo in the Ozarks takes on a different theme. This year’s motif was Las Vegas Casino. Each of the tailgate parties competitively aspire to mimic the casino atmosphere. Each tailgate party also helps flex the monetary muscle of the fundraising event.
“ Tailgates have been a real success and they get more and more competitive each year, ” Hart said. “ It’s just another benefit of coming to our fundraiser and just one of many things to enjoy here. ”
A live auction and gala help give the event a significant boost. But Hart said the Buell family’s altruism gives the event the most substantial lift.
“ Polo in the Ozarks has completely changed the face of our organization, ” Hart said. “ The Buells have opened up their hearts and their home for 19 years and I find their generosity staggering. They work hard and they’re involved from the decorating to getting the polo players.
“ Government funding only covers so much and because of the Buells we’re able to supplement our services and provide a much higher quality of care to people in the community who really need it. ”
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