Middletown, N.Y. – July 29, 2010 - Elant, Inc., the Hudson Valley non-profit health and housing network, will host its ninth Annual Polo Picnic on Sept. 12, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Blue Sky Polo Club in Middletown.

Proceeds from this year’s commemorative polo event will benefit Elant’s sub-acute and rehabilitation programs, which provide comprehensive, in-patient care for those recovering from an acute illness or injury following a hospital stay. Over the past two years, Elant’s supporters have helped renovate a significant portion of Elant’s rehabilitation units, and allowed for the purchase of new therapy equipment.

“We are truly dedicated to assuring that our patients and residents receive the very best in rehabilitation and sub-acute care services,” said Donna Frazier, Elant’s director of Rehabilitation. “The contributions made through community members and businesses have helped to support that mission, and we are incredibly thankful.”

At this year’s event, Mrs. Ursula Degenhardt, a long-standing Goshen resident, will receive the Elant Flame of Excellence Award in honor of her 35-year commitment to volunteerism in Orange County.

Mrs. Degenhardt was a founding member of the Auxiliary of Goshen Historic Track and its first president, a past member of the Vestry at St. James' Church in Goshen, one of the first members of Goshen Restoration, and a member of the Goshen Garden Club, which helped create Elant at Goshen’s Garden of Arden in 2008 and 2009.

In 1988 Mrs. Degenhardt was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Arden Hill Hospital and Life Care Center. Upon consolidation of Arden Hill Hospital and Horton Hospital, Mrs. Degenhardt became a trustee emeritus of Orange Regional Medical Center. She also maintained a seat on the Elant (formerly Arden Hill Life Care Center) Board of Directors. While on the Board, Mrs. Degenhardt has served on several committees, including the Executive Committee as secretary, the Quality Improvement Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Compensation Committee.

“Mrs. Degenhardt has maintained a tireless commitment to her community, and to Elant and its residents in particular,” said Todd Whitney, acting president of Elant, Inc. “As an active member of our Board of Directors, she has always helped to keep the quality of care of our residents at the root of every decision, and for that we are truly grateful.”

The Elant Foundation will also offer a special recognition to several of Elant’s long-standing business partners, including Armistead Mechanical, Inc., Burke, Miele & Golden, LLP, Employee Family Protection, Inc., Med-World Pharmacy, an OmniCare Company, O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP, Provident Bank & Hudson Valley Investment Advisors, and Unitex Textile Rental Services.

Polo spectators will enjoy an elegant cocktail party with music, a luncheon served under tents, a champagne toast and divot stomp, a 25th anniversary cake, a hat contest, a silent auction & live auction with auctioneer Mark Vail, and of course, a rousing polo match!

Some of the live auction items include:

• Hot Air Balloon Ride for Two

• Lake Placid Cabin

• Powelton Golf Package

• Yankee Tickets

• Stratton Mountain Condo

• Great Sacandaga Lake House

• Sunday Dinner for 10 at Glen Arden prepared by Chef Merrill

• Aerial Tour of Orange County

• Sunday Brunch for 10 at the Backyard Bistro

This year’s sponsors include our Presenting sponsor, Med-World Pharmacy, an OmniCare Company, and our Mallet sponsors, Armistead Mechanical, Inc., O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins, LLP, and Provident Bank & Hudson Valley Investment Advisors.

for more details about our live auction items and to review a list of our silent auction items. For more information or to buy tickets, please call 845.360.1410 or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Elant, Inc., a community-based, not-for-profit organization, has been a part of the Hudson Valley healthcare landscape for the past 25 years. Its seven campuses, located across five counties, serve an estimated 3,500 people daily and provide sub-acute care and rehabilitation services, nursing home care, assisted living, adult day care, retirement community living, home health care, and a managed long-term care plan. Elant’s mission is to provide personalized, high-quality care and lifestyle options to persons of diverse generations, cultures, means, and needs.