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WELLINGTON, Fla. – March
25, 2019 –
Brooke USA's Sunset Polo™ & White Party
raised over $350,000for working equines
and the people who depend on them in the
world’s poorest communities.More than
1,000 people joined together for the
signature event and exceeded funds
raised from all previous years.The event
recorded a landmark year, with
nearly $70,000 raised
of the
total projectgoal of $150,000 to
construct equine veterinary clinics in
Ethiopia, home to the third largest
population of equines in the world.The
elegant and well-attendedfundraiserwas
held at the Wanderers Club on Friday,
March 22.
The honorary committee, chaired by
Katherine Kaneb Bellissimo, and the host
committee, led by Paige Bellissimo, were
the driving force behind the success of
the event.
“This is the fourth year of this event,
and it has had incredible growth and
participation from equestrians of all
disciplines and from the community. Our
enhanced committee has helped with this
event and allowed us to re-envision ways
to do it,” said Kaneb Bellissimo.
A highlight of the evening took place on
the veranda whenDolores Sukhdeo, the
President and CEO of South Florida PBS
(WPBT2 and WXEL), presented the
inaugural Crystal Awards toClaudine and
Fritz Kundrun, Margaret Hamilton Duprey
and Kaneb Bellissimo.The honorees are
outstanding champions of the
organization who have gone above and
beyond in support of its mission. The
efforts of these remarkable people help
make a difference alleviating the
suffering of some of the 100 million
equines working in the developing world
to support the livelihoods of 600
million people.
Having spent time living
in Pakistan, Fritz Kundrun has seen the
plight of working equines firsthand. He
and his wife, Claudine, have been
supporters of the organization since its
founding. Duprey is Brooke USA's
Founding Ambassador and helped Brooke
USA complete the Women 4 Donkeys
campaign that targeted improving the
lives of donkeys and the livelihood of
their women owners in Kenya.Kaneb
Bellissimo is a member of Brooke USA’s
board of directors and the founder of
Brooke USA’s Sunset Polo™ & White Party.
The evening festivities
began with a round-robin polo match
featuring talented and up-and-coming
future polo stars, including Brooke USA
ambassadors Hope Arellano, Wes Finlayson
and Ben Avendaño. GJ Racing, Provident
Jewelry and Invicta Farm sponsored the
teams. The GJ Racing team won the 8-goal
exhibition match.
Brooke USA Ambassadors Duprey, Kasey
Perry-Glass, J.J. Tate, Katie Jackson,
Allison Brock and Eugenia Karolyi were
on handto represent the organization.
After the game, singer Shelley Keelor
entertained guests as they enjoyed a
Latin-inspired
Touch of Orange Dinner,
featuring a gourmet menu designed by
celebrity chef Ingrid Hoffmann. Luxury
silent and live auctions raised funds
for Brooke USA. Aerial acrobats, from
Florida Aerial Dance and Circus Arts,
performed during the evening-long White
Party and throngs of people danced to
music provided by DJ Adam Lipson.
International artist Josée Nadeau
paintedlive as miniature horses Star and
Huck wove among the guests as equine
ambassadors.
Brooke USA’s Executive Director Emily
Dulin said, “Brooke USA is thrilled with
the support received from the equestrian
community in Wellington and our
supporters who traveled from afar. We
are very grateful for the enthusiasm of
all those present, and we are looking
forward to producing an even greater
event in 2020.”
To help Brooke USA in its mission
donate now.
Go to
BrookeUSA.org
for more information.
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