Polo Noir Raises Funds for Children’s Cancer Association and Harper’s Playground

Molly Paustian, Lynn Penner-Ash, Jess Ferrentino, Ron Penner-Ash, Jeff Paustian, Chris Hall, Jill Hall at Polo Noir

West Linn, OR. Nearly 2,000 spectators turned out to watch polo games and hear live music at the first Polo Noir event at the Hidden Creek Polo Club. Molly Paustian, Lynn Penner-Ash, Jess Ferrentino, Ron Penner-Ash, Jeff Paustian, Chris Hall, Jill Hall were all smiles at Polo Noir. The event on September 10th featured two polo matches, live music, and Oregon wines. Polo Noir Raised Funds for Children’s Cancer Association and Harper’s Playground.

The daylong event at Hidden Creek Polo Club featured several polo matches. The objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team’s goal using a long-handled mallet. The traditional sport of polo is played on a grass field. Each polo team consists of four riders and their mounts.

Paul Gulick, Jeff Longtain, Lisa Longtain, Tasca Gulick at Polo Noir

CCA volunteers sold raffle tickets to raise money.

Ben Harper was a popular part of the musical lineup at Polo Noir.

From Children’s Cancer Association:

We believe kids deserve long, wonderful lives. Or, at the very least, short, wonderful lives. We believe cancer sucks. We’ve had it, or loved someone who did. We prescribe moments of joy for kids who are in the fight against all serious illness. We believe joy grows exponentially when it’s used collectively. We are music medicine pioneers. We believe in purple. We know joy comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes – just like the kids we help. We love to laugh. We are not afraid to cry. We spend every dollar wisely. We give hugs freely. We believe in today. We respect our history as a grassroots organization. We embrace our destiny as a global source of JoyRx. We believe these things matter.

From Harper’s Playground:

“Our community playground was off-limits to our daughter because she uses wheels to get around. We founded Harper’s Playground to change this. We assembled a team of top designers and shared our vision. We asked for and received help from many. The playground went from dream to reality. We are thrilled with the outcomes, and invite you to come enjoy it with your family. We know you will find that a well designed inclusive play area is truly better… for everyone! We are proud that Harper’s Playground promotes more play for more people. We embrace these three powerful and important forces for a better world; COMMUNITY – INCLUSION – PLAY!!!”

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.