At their first official meeting, the Point Clear Polo 2009 executive committee collaborates on this year’s event, to be held October 23 through October 25, 2009. Linda Lou Parsons has been named event chair. Other members include (pictured from left sitting): Lacy Radcliff, Linda Lou Parsons, chair, Sherry Lea Bloodworth, Mercy Medical development director, and Carol O'Neil; Standing from left are Susan Cox, Marcella Franssen, Jamie Leatherbury, and Sadie Cooper. Not pictured are Suzy Radcliff, Tammie Sullivan, Dawn Pilot, Hutch Radcliff, Chris Tooney, Mike Lyons, Joannie Walsh, Hunter Lyons, Cecilia Mace, Lyn Fogarty, Cindy Trice, Donna Wilhelm, Stephanie Pierce and Elise Jones.

Since 1988, Point Clear Polo has raised millions of dollars that benefited cancer research, local non-profit organizations, and children’s charities. Polo at the Point has become known as the Gulf Coast’s most prestigious charity sporting event and provides a unique experience for fans of polo or those experiencing the majestic sport for the first time. Throughout a weekend, several teams comprised of local, regional and international polo players will compete to play on Sunday, October 25 for the coveted Point Clear Polo Cup. This year, Point Clear Polo has designated Mercy’s Guardian Angel as the main beneficiary of the 2009 Polo at the Point to be held October 23 through October 25, 2009 at Sonny Hill-Clearwater Farms Polo Complex in Point Clear, Ala.

Like many of Mercy Medical’s healthcare programs, its Guardian Angel program was born from an unmet need in the community and a desire to fill that need. Each year there are hundreds of children in our area who have been discharged from acute care hospitals but still require ongoing medical care. Mercy’s pediatric home care enables infants and children to go home earlier from the hospital and reduces the likelihood of complications, such as infection. Since 1998, Mercy’s pediatric home care has served more than a thousand of these critically and terminally ill children, that range from birth to 17 years of age, and suffer from cystic fibrosis, leukemia, other cancers and diseases, or severe conditions resulting from a birth defect or injury. Guardian Angel is the fundraising program that makes Mercy’s pediatric home care possible. It is one of the only programs that provides home healthcare, palliative care and hospice care to children in Mobile and Baldwin counties and serves any child in need, no matter of their family’s ability to pay. Sometimes more than 70 percent of these costs are funded through Guardian Angel.

Polo at the Point festivities begin with the Player’s Party on Friday night, October 23 where guests enjoy dinner, live music and dancing. Sunday’s event highlights include world class polo, gourmet cuisine, champagne, divot stomping, tailgating fun, reserved seating in the luncheon tent, garden party attire, and more. Tickets range from $10 (tailgating) to $125 with sponsorships available.

For more information on Polo at the Point, please contact the Polo Office at 251.621.4464. For more information about Guardian Angel please contact Mercy Medical's development office at 621-4884 or visit online at www.mercymedical.com.