Annual Charity Polo Match Trotting Back to Arranmore

On Saturday, the invites you to a one-of-a-kind event featuring a polo match, live music, dinner, dancing, beverages and a silent auction. The event occurs at and benefits charities supported by the Rotary Club.

Dean Kleronomos has been a member of Oswego’s Rotary Club for eight years and he will play in the Chukkers for Charity polo match.

“Chicago used to be the polo capital of the U.S., and the sport remains popular in the area,” said Kleronomos, who has played for 20 years. “Chukkers for Charity is a great day out, and you will have a very different experience.

“This is definitely an adult event. Polo is a violent sport with speed and contact — it is basically hockey on horseback,” Kleronomos said.

This will be an exhibition game and the players are out to have a good time, but it still will be a thrilling and fast game, he said.

“This event is a hidden gem and totally different. People come back year after year, but we are always looking for new blood to attract to the event,” said Kleronomos.

The Rotary Club is still seeking donations for its silent auction. Ticketmaster has donated a skybox suite, including 12 tickets each to a Blackhawks and a Bulls game, said Eric Mancke, co-chair of Chukkers for Charity.

“We are fortunate to have the perfect location for this event, and we can’t thank John Greene and his family enough for allowing us to use ,” said Mancke.

This is the ninth year the Rotary Club has hosted this event, and 350 to 400 people from all over northern Illinois are expected to attend. It always is held the Saturday after Labor Day. A “chukker” is a unit of measure in polo — similar to a quarter in football. A polo match consists of six chukkers.

The Rotary Club is both a local and international service organization. This event allows Oswego’s Rotary Club to donate a considerable sum of money to causes it deems worthy, Mancke said.

“During this down economy, there is a great need for community service at places such as Hesed House and homeless shelters. The Rotary Club is able to step up and donate and help families who are in dire need. We also offer scholarships for students to attend Waubonsee Community College — helping students in need,” said Mancke.

Examples of other local projects include: , sponsoring softball, baseball and football teams, , Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and Mutual Ground.

Worldwide projects include: Polio Eradication Worldwide, Alliance for Smiles, water wells in Haiti, foreign exchange students, and solar oven projects in Uganda.

Chukkers for Charity tickets are available at the Oswego Rotary Club’s website or by contacting Eric Mancke at 1-630-624-0520. Tickets are $125 per person.

The tentative schedule for the event is as follows:

• 2 p.m. - Gates open; tailgating.
• 3 p.m. – Opening ceremony followed by polo match. Halftime features a champagne toast and divot stomp.
• 5:30 p.m. – The Waubonsee Community College jazz ensemble performs through dinner, which is catered by My Chef Catering in Naperville.
• 7:30 to 10 p.m. – Live music performed by The Next Level and dancing.