The Old Westbury College Foundation, Inc. welcomed 300 guests recently to its Second Annual Summer Polo Match and Lawn Party to benefit the restoration of the historic Clark Family Stables at SUNY College at Old Westbury. The event, which took place in the magnificent surroundings of Hickox Field in Old Westbury, raised more than $45,000.

"Old Westbury is committed to restoring these stables to their original grandeur," said College President Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, in his welcoming remarks. "Our vision is to have a fully operational equestrian center accessible to our students, to groups and organizations, and to our friends and neighbors."

The focal point of the Second Annual Lawn Party and Polo Match was a competition presented by the Meadowbrook Polo Club, among the most historic polo clubs in the nation. In addition to the match between the teams sponsored by Land Rover and Credit Suisse, the day's highlights included the presentation of a $5,000 donation by Alan Fairbairn, one of the leaders of The Smithtown Hunt Club, on behalf of the organization.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of our efforts," said Foundation Chair Robert R. McMillan, a partner with the law firm of Fischbein, Badillo,Wagner & Harding. "While we still have much work to do, the Old Westbury College Foundation is committed to raising the funds necessary to bring back to life these historic stables so that they can be a valuable resource both for the college and the community."

Along with Mr. McMillan, the Old Westbury College Foundation, Inc. was represented during the day's activities by: Foundation Vice Chair William Adkins, president and CEO of Palanker Chevrolet; Foundation Vice Chair Matthew Brown, president of Big Apple Tire; Michelle DiBennedetto, vice president for government and community relations for Citibank; Rachel Lee Davis, commissioner of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission; Joseph Garofalo, publisher of Island-Metro Publications; Dr. Faroque Khan; Brian Madden, president of Liberty Title Agency LLC; and John Shalam, chairman of Audiovox Corporation;. Herb Wetanson, restaurateur; Dan Murphy, Executive VP Roslyn Savings Bank; Mea Knapp, Suffolk County Administrator.

To rehabilitate the Clark Family Stables, which have been unused since the 1980s, the Foundation has set a fund-raising target of $1 million. Originally called the F. Ambrose Clark Racing Stables, the college's equestrian-related facilities include a two-story open air facility featuring a covered promenade and an internal courtyard, a quarter-mile track, riding circles, and shed-row stables.

Serving as the platinum sponsors who made the event possible were JP MorganChase Community Development Corporation, Land Rover of Long Island, Brian Madden and Liberty Title Agency, Meadowbrook Polo Club and The Smithtown Hunt. Bryan Lazarus, a resident of Brookville and member of The Meadowbrook Polo Club, and Dick London, a resident of Smithtown and chairman of the event, were also instrumental in the success of the event. Among the players were Luis Rinaldini of Old Westbury, Bob Constant of Mill Neck, and Robert Wertheim of Old Brookville.

The Old Westbury College Foundation, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting SUNY College at Old Westbury in becoming the flagship Arts & Sciences College in the SUNY system. Directed by its board, the foundation solicits gifts, grants and endowments that enhance the educational, research and community service mission of the college. Funds raised through foundation activities, help bridge the gap between tuition and operating expenses at the college, and ensure that Old Westbury's students have the best educational experience possible.