Two local non-profit organizations are teaming up for an evening of equestrian sport and community support as the Hickory Hall Polo Club hosts a joint fundraising match on Aug. 28.
Tailgate-Style Event Welcomes Families
The event will benefit both Independent Living for Adults with Developmental Disabilities (ILADD) and the Carmel Youth Assistance Program (CYAP). Proceeds from the evening will directly support programs aimed at strengthening resources for local youth and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Gates open at 5:00 p.m. at the Hickory Hall Polo Club, located at 7551 E. 100 N. in Whitestown, with the match scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. Admission is $40 per vehicle at the gate, with all proceeds split 50-50 between the two participating non-profits. VIP and tailgate sponsorship packages are also available.
Organizers describe the fundraising event as a family-friendly, bring-your-own-tailgate experience. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, tents, food, and beverages to enjoy alongside the match.
“It is essentially one giant tailgate,” said Melissa Clapp, Early Intervention Advocate for CYAP. “It’s very family-friendly, very kid-oriented. You can bring tents, chairs, tables for yourself, your own foods, snacks, and drinks.”
Two Non-Profits, One Community Effort
The collaboration came together after ILADD, which has hosted polo fundraisers at the venue in previous years, invited CYAP to join forces for this year’s match.
“They have done this polo fundraising event for a couple years now, and they invited us to kind of share their day and be a part of it with them,” Clapp said. “It works really well when two organizations get to be featured in one night. I’m very excited — I think it’s going to be a really fun event.”
CYAP’s Growing Community Impact
For CYAP, the funds raised will bolster critical ongoing operations, including case management, academic support, and recreational enrichment for youth ages 3–17 residing within the Carmel Clay School District boundaries.
Operating at a cost of just $1.42 per day for services per youth, CYAP provides voluntary, confidential assistance at no cost to families facing challenging life circumstances. In 2025 alone, the organization reached major milestones:
- Total Youth Served: 373 youth supported across all programs (including 126 referrals, 82 active cases, and 135 holiday assistance recipients).
- Volunteer Impact: Community members logged 1,500 volunteer hours to deliver mentoring and academic tutoring.
- Tutoring & Mentoring Matches: 21 tutoring matches logged 354 tutor hours across CYAP’s Summer Bridge and 1-1 school-year tutoring programs, alongside 9 active mentor matches.
- Expanded Services: Launched the Engine to Empowerment Program to assist three families with reliable transportation—supported in part by a $200,000 grant from the Alan and Linda Cohen Family Foundation to overcome local transportation barriers.
- Lifetime Reach: Recorded 1,414 total referrals to date as of Dec. 31, 2025.
Urgent Need for Mentors
Beyond financial contributions, Clapp stressed that community volunteer involvement remains vital.
“We need dollars for transportation, but we need mentors badly now that the school year has started,” Clapp said.
CYAP advocates highlight the importance of offline engagement, particularly as youth navigate modern challenges like screen overuse and online safety issues.
“We get referrals for kids who really struggle with staying off devices or aren’t making safe choices online,” Clapp said. “Another part of our job is getting these kids involved—get them outside, let them breathe the fresh air, send them to camp, get them a mentor, and have them try new things so they recognize there’s something better for them that is bigger than their phone screen.”
More information regarding services, volunteer mentorship opportunities, and ticket details can be found at carmelyap.org .