Goshen, N.Y. (June 7, 2011) – David S. MacFarland, President and CEO of Poughkeepsie-based Riverside Bank, has been named honorary chair of the 2011 Elant Polo Picnic to benefit the Elant Foundation, Elant Inc.’s fundraising arm.
The Elant Polo Picnic, now in its 10th year, will be held from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Blue Sky Polo Club in Middletown. The event will honor Orange Regional Medical Center with Elant’s Flame of Excellence Award, the Alzheimer’s Association with the Elant Signature Award, and Michael Donnelly, Esq., with the Tree of Life Award.
Proceeds will be directed to this year’s fundraising campaign “Bridging Generations, Making Connections,” whereby Elant shall enhance environments and incorporate technology resources for residents to communicate with loved ones far away, as well as software to enhance the cognition of residents suffering with dementia. Last year’s Polo Picnic raised $57,000.
“It is a privilege to serve as the honorary chair of the Elant Polo Picnic,” said MacFarland. “Elant is a wonderful organization to work with and I look forward to helping make this event an outstanding success.”
Before taking over at Riverside Bank, MacFarland spent six years as executive vice president of corporate banking for Premier National Bank (now M&T Bank) in LaGrangeville. But it was during his lengthy tenure with Fleet Bank when he rose to prominence locally. By the conclusion of his 31-year association with Fleet Bank, he had become regional president for the bank’s Hudson Valley region, charged with leading the local business development program for 48 bank branches that boasted more than 600 employees and assets exceeding $1 billion.
In addition to his 48 years of banking in the Hudson Valley, MacFarland has established an equally impressive resume of community involvement with area business, civic and charitable organizations. He is a member of more than 20 boards of directors in the Hudson Valley region, and a past member of many others. He is past board director of such organizations as the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Newburgh-Stewart Empire Zone, St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Greater Hudson Valley Health System, Orange County Industrial Development Agency, Pattern for Progress and the Bankers Association of the Hudson Valley. MacFarland also played bass guitar in the Hudson Valley rock-n-roll band The Storm Kings in the 1950s and ’60s.
“We are excited to have David on board with this event,” said Todd Whitney, President and CEO of Elant, Inc. “David’s enthusiasm will provide inspiration as we raise money for the Elant Foundation and ultimately for the residents of Elant.”
The event is an elegant day beginning with a tribute to 9/11, cocktail hour, new formatted Tapas dining, the polo match, the traditional polo hat contest, and then a silent and live auction. Auction items include: a hot air balloon ride and upstate New York spa retreat. Tickets are $130 per person and $50 per child 10 and under. A table of eight is $800. For additional information or to learn about sponsorship opportunities, call 845-360-1410 or email elantfoundation@elant.org.
The 2011 Polo Picnic Committee: Marina Case Alario, The Red Shutters; Danielle Buchheit, Pepsi Cola of the Hudson Valley; Elizabeth Cappello, Newburgh School District; Susan Crocker, Holbert’s Catering; Sam Diamond, Triple A Supplies; Chuck Elmes, Blue Sky Polo Club; Barbara George; Carol Holbert; Kristin E. Jensen, Orange County Government; Andy LaMarca, Mobile Life Support Services; Barbara Malley, Riverside Bank; Melissa McCoy, Elant Inc.; Joseph J. Minuta, Minuta Architecture; Rick Patterson; Joe Peixoto, HealthTrac; Jennifer Riccardi, Elant Foundation; Graham Skea; Bobbie Riemer Valk; Kit Wallace; and Julie Whitney.
ABOUT ELANT
Elant is a not-for-profit, regionally-based nursing home system founded in 1985 Goshen, N.Y. 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.
