Funds raised will enhance resident environments, improve technology resources
GOSHEN, N.Y. (September 28, 2011) – A day of fun, fashion, remembrance and polo under beautiful late-summer skies turned into another wonderful fundraiser that will benefit the Elant Foundation and Elant’s residents.
The Elant Foundation’s 10th Annual Polo Picnic was held on September 18 at Blue Sky Polo Club. Proceeds will go toward this year’s fundraising campaign “Bridging Generations, Making Connections,” whereby Elant will enhance environments and incorporate technology resources for residents to communicate with distant loved ones. The funds raised from the campaign will also enable Elant to purchase software to enhance the cognition of residents suffering with dementia.
“The Elant Foundation has created a beautiful event that helps enhance the lives of our residents each year,” said Elant Inc. President and CEO Todd A. Whitney. “We are truly grateful for our sponsors, participants and guests who make this event such a success.”
This year’s sponsors included Med-World Pharmacy, an OmniCare Company, Armistead Mechanical, Inc., O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP, Provident Bank and Hudson Valley Investment Advisors. While Elant has traditionally held a live auction at the event, this was the first year that it also held an online auction, opening up the event to anyone with Internet access.
“We were thrilled with the success of this year’s Polo Picnic and thank everyone for their participation,” said Melissa McCoy, Director of Corporate Initiatives with Elant Inc. and the Elant Foundation. “The money raised is going to an excellent cause, and it will benefit many residents in the Elant organization.”
The event honored Orange Regional Medical Center with the Elant Flame of Excellence Award for opening up the first new hospital in the state in more than 20 years. The Alzheimer’s Association received the Elant Signature Award, as the organization’s local chapter serves a growing need since the number of residents with the disease has greatly increased. Additionally, Michael Donnelly, Esq., received the Tree of Life Award at the event. Donnelly has served on the Elant Board of Directors from 1990 to 2010.
The day’s polo match ended in a tie at 9 between the Gray Fields and the Stone Rows. Guillaume Gimonet won the Most Valuable Player honors.
Hat fashion at the picnic proved to be fun for both participants and spectators. Hat contest winners at the event included: Alanna Smith (Best Original); Debbie Brown (Most Fashionable); Kevin and Kathy Hammery (Best Couple); Flo Hannes (Most Humorous); Barth Dascoli (Most Southwestern); Sandra Anderson (Best Crafted); Kristin Jensen (Most Classic); Camille Cappello (Best Facilitator/Headdress); Elise Coursey (Best Coat and Hat Combination); and Rick Patterson (Honorable Mention).
The event, delayed a week from its original date because of localized flooding, also held a respectful remembrance of those who died in the 9/11 tragedy with a color guard and bagpipes.
“We successfully rescheduled the entire event to a week later thanks to the incredible support, understanding and efforts by numerous vendors, services, suppliers, volunteers and guests who assured this event would go on,” McCoy said. “We are extremely grateful to Chuck Elmes of Blue Sky Polo Club and his players for hosting us the past 10 years, as well as accommodating this year’s change. We were rewarded with an incredibly beautiful day,”
ABOUT ELANT
Elant is a not-for-profit, regionally-based nursing home system founded in 1985. Elant offers seven locations, as well as in-home and day treatment programs, throughout the region. It offers a broad spectrum of services that provides for the needs of more than 3,500 people. Elant provides a full continuum of care including Sub-Acute Care and Rehabilitation Services, Nursing Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care, Retirement Community Living, Home Health Care and a Managed Long Term Care Plan.
ABOUT THE ELANT FOUNDATION
The Elant Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation, was created in 2001 as the fundraising arm of Elant, Inc. The foundation’s mission is to garner financial resources from a variety of sources to fund initiatives that enable the Elant staff to enhance the quality of life for all they serve. Due to the generosity of its donors, the Elant Foundation is able to fund the development of new programs, upgrades and renovations to Elant facilities, the purchase of new equipment and the continued professional development of Elant’s dedicated and caring workforces.
