NEWS

Newport Polo Club (Portsmouth, Rhode Island) is pleased to announce the beneficiaries and presenting sponsor of its twenty-first annual charity gala, the Kia Ora Cosmic Ball, presented by BD on Friday, August 5, 2022 to fete the New Zealand polo team at Rosecliff, Newport’s premiere Bellevue Avenue mansion.

“As the name implies, the stars have aligned and sky's the limit,” expressed Dan Keating, gala MC, Polo captain and Club President. “After our hugely successful teamwork last year, we are honored to collaborate with Jeffrey Osborne as Honorary Ambassador, and we are thrilled to name BD as presenting sponsor, helping make this year’s event the best of all time.”

“My family and I are humbled and thankful that Newport Polo recognizes the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation’s efforts to support the needs of Rhode Islanders who are not as fortunate to have the same opportunities and financial resources of many of us.” R&B music legend and Rhode Island son, Osborne has raised over $1.5 million in charitable support in his home state since 2012, through the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation.

Osborne has graciously added Boys & Girls Club of Newport to the organizations being supported by this year’s gala including those supported by his Foundation, namely St. Mary's Home for Children & Family Services, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence, Button Hole; the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, the Met School and the Amos House, Rhode Island’s largest Soup Kitchen.

“BD is proud to support the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation and give back to the community that we’ve been a part of for over 100 years,” stated Kevin D. Kelly, Worldwide Surgery President, BD. For over a century, BD’s Surgery Business Unit, with headquarters and design center in Warwick, Rhode Island, is advancing the world of health, employing nearly 300 associates to distribute over $1 billion in medical devices globally.

“We invite you to join us in raising our paddles to champion Rhode Island’s children & families, in meeting their most essential needs, ensuring opportunities to live full and enriching lives, and keep music and the arts in public schools,” explain Meg and Jeremy Stowe, Polo Club Ambassadors. “Kia Ora, a universal New Zealand greeting from the Māori language, meaning 'have life' or 'be healthy', is the perfect spirit in which to embrace this year's beneficiaries.”

Tickets and associated events for the Kia Ora Cosmic Ball are offered online at www.nptpolo.com. Newport Polo's annual sellout charity gala has become the social highlight of the summer polo season. The highly-anticipated black-tie affair, who’s theme is recreated each year to honor a different international polo team, welcomes supporters to make a red-carpet entrance for a spirited White Party in honor of the New Zealand team's celebrated south pacific paradise, known for centuries as the Long White Cloud.

“We will bungee to 41° South for an aurora of sensations from A to Zealand, from the Polynesian archipelago's geographic and celestial wonders, gourmet delicacies, celebrated wines & elixirs, Māori-Euro arts & culture, and a few stars of our own to match the cosmic glow of the southern lights, for a fitting fête of our Kiwi cousins,” adds Keating.

A gala pre-party is also in the works, to launch the evening's festivities from a favorite Newport destination, followed by the main event at Rosecliff for sunset ocean views from the terrace with enticing hors d'oeuvres, specialty themed cocktails and a tantalizing Silent Auction of curated exclusives for dueling bidders. As twilight cedes to the evening's brightest stars, supporters will delight in live entertainment, a seated three-course gourmet presentation, and whirlwind Live Auction offering up a quintuplet of the night's premier opportunities, in the gilded ballroom and salon. A 10-piece band will not rest 'til the stroke of midnight, when valeted departures will arc like shooting stars to the Skybar, Newport's VIP stratosphere atop the iconic Clarke Cooke House.

The gala weekend's festivities continue the following day - Saturday, August 6th - the Newport International Polo Series will feature USA vs. New Zealand at 5:00pm ET. Spectators will be treated to a thrilling two-hour polo match, followed by the Polo Club's annual Lobsterfest, a favorite New England tradition to conclude the festivities. Visit Schedule/Tickets for all upcoming events. Sign up for the private and secure guest list to receive event updates by email.

"Our community is only as strong as its most fragile members,” adds Keating. "We are continuing a successful collaboration with the Jeffrey Osborne Foundation, after last year's record fundraising, to unite the energies of our auction committee and the generosity of our supporters. Thanks to the initiative that Jeffrey Osborne has taken, in shining the light on and supporting these worthy causes in our community, we can contribute to these efforts and make a positive impact in Rhode Island," elaborates Keating.

In its past 30 years, Newport Polo is proud to have helped raise over $1,700,000 for nonprofit organizations through its gala auction, its benefit matches, and ticket donations for the Newport International Polo Series, among other fundraising efforts. For Gala Sponsorship opportunities or Auction donations for the 2022 gala and auction, please direct inquiries to agnes@nptpolo.com.

Newport Polo will host additional charitable initiatives in 2022, including Benefit Polo Matches on May 28 and July 17, offering fundraising opportunities to participating 501-c-3 organizations.