Family House Polo 2008, presented by National City, celebrated, "Welcome Home to Family House."

Family House Polo celebrated 25 years of tradition in 2008! What started as a simple idea to support our first Family House facility has indeed grown into a well-loved Pittsburgh tradition that draws nearly 2,000 Polo spectators each year! National City Family House Polo is one of the most successful Polo fundraisers in the world, raising more than $3 million over the past 25 years.

The gates opened at 11:00 AM on September 6, 2008. The fast-paced polo match began at 1:00 PM and featured two renowned Polo Teams. In addition to Polo, the popular Merchandise Boutiques Tent and the Children's Entertainment Tent returned for hours of family fun.

Family House Chairman’s Cup Award - The Muldoon Family
The Potomac Polo Club was founded in 1951 in Maryland. Polo was a popular sport in the region during the 1960s and often attracted more than 1,000 fans to a single match. Joe Muldoon, Jr. was the catalyst that brought a higher level of polo to Potomac.

Joe, concerned for the sport’s longevity, bought the Potomac Polo Club in the 1970s, moved its headquarters to his Poolesville farm with his family polo team Gone Away Farm and became a leading advocate for the aristocratic and dangerous sport. Joe Muldoon, Jr., sons Charles and Joe III and daughter Mary Louise became the first and only all-family team to win a nationally recognized polo tournament. Members of the Muldoon family and the Potomac Polo Club have gone on to play polo throughout the United States and abroad and have competed in and captured many of the most prestigious championships within the sport.

Joe Muldoon, Jr. often played polo with his three sons, but, unfortunately, his son Michael died from a polo-related accident in 1979. The Family House Muldoon Cup Award was created in memory of Michael and is given annually to an individual or organization whose outstanding support of Family House has made a significant impact on our mission of providing a “home away from home” to families seeking medical treatment of serious illnesses.

Imagine the thrill that Family House felt in 1983 when it attempted to organize its own polo match as a signature fundraising event! After former Polo committee member Nijole asked him if he would consider playing in this match, Joe Muldoon, Jr. flew to Pittsburgh, met with Mary Lou McLaughlin, founding Family House Executive Director, assessed the Hartwood Acres field and committed his family and expertise to set Family House Polo in motion. The Muldoon family even stayed at the home of Dr. Robert Capretto, one of the original Family House board members, while in town, further solidifying the family atmosphere that so many have come to love about Polo.

We proudly award the Family House Chairman’s Cup Award to the Muldoon family, whose loyal support has helped to transform this unique fundraiser into a well-loved Pittsburgh tradition that draws nearly 2,000 spectators annually and has raised more than $3.5 million for Family House during the past 24 years.

We recently mourned the loss of Joe Muldoon, Jr. Like many others, we remember Joe as a passionate gentleman, the kind of person who could light up an entire polo field with his enthusiasm for the game and love of life. His guidance on and off the field was admired and emulated by those who had the opportunity to meet him along his animated journey.

Family House has been grateful for the way Joe and the entire Muldoon family have regarded our annual Polo events as those of light-hearted competition and true spirit. It is only fitting that we remember Joe during this year’s 25th Anniversary Polo Match. With gratitude, appreciation and fondness we honor the Muldoon family – Alyse, Joe III, Charlie and Mary – with the Family House Chairman’s Cup Award and consider them a special part of our extended “family.”

Family House Muldoon Cup Award - University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
UPMC is the premier health system in western Pennsylvania and one of the most renowned academic medical centers in the United States. During the past decade, UPMC has reshaped the health care landscape in western Pennsylvania. As a $7 billion organization and the region's largest employer, it has transformed the economic landscape, as well. During a period of rapid growth, UPMC created a genuinely integrated health care delivery system and aggressively recruited superb physicians and researchers to develop internationally renowned centers in transplantation, cancer, neurosurgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation, geriatrics and women's health, among others.

UPMC's reputation as one of the nation's outstanding medical centers is a source of civic pride. The region benefits from UPMC's many charitable contributions and its broad array of community-based programs to eliminate health disparities in underserved populations.

In 1983 a group of UPMC administrators and physicians joined efforts with community leaders and the American Cancer Society to form Family House. Family House opened its doors 25 years ago and has created a “home” for more than 100,000 families who need a place to hope and heal. The partnership between Family House and UPMC is a true testament that “Amazing things happen when your heart is in the right place.” The Family House staff directly partners with UPMC administrators, physicians, nurses, social workers, transportation and facilities experts, technology professionals and clergy to form a “family” for patients who travel more than 60 miles and are treated for critical illnesses. Family House meets the needs of each guest through a unique relationship of care and compassion.

Mr. John Innocenti, president of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, graciously accepts the Muldoon Cup Award on behalf of UPMC. John has been a long-standing friend to Family House and recently joined the Family House Board of Directors. When asked about the relationship between both organizations, John commented, “UPMC’s proud affiliation with Family House enables our patients with chronic and serious illnesses access to safe, quality and affordable housing. Many of our patients benefit from Family House’s ‘home away from home’ surroundings, where they can build friendships with other guests who may be going through a similar health issue. Family House is a true family community with valuable resources for patients, who, otherwise, would have to travel long distances back and forth between their homes and the hospital. Family House also provides a chance for patients to get outside the hospital and relax in a friendly, warm environment while still receiving world-class health care.”

In recognition of our silver 25th anniversary, we brought back the exclusive Hartwood Mansion Party!

This special day celebrated the well-loved tradition of "Polo in Pittsburgh" and incorporated activities that entertained families and guests of all ages on a beautiful afternoon. Listed below are the 2008 award receipients. Their devotion and committment to Polo and, more importantly, Family House deserves to be recognized in a very special way.

Family House Anniversary Award - Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is the fifth largest full-service real estate company and the third largest privately held real estate company in the United States. Howard Hanna is a market and community leader in the field of real estate and one of the top family-owned companies in the United States. The company gives back to the community through many philanthropic programs and supports a wide variety of educational, health and social causes throughout its marketing areas.

Family House has been fortunate to receive Howard Hanna Real Estate Services’ generosity and support since our inception. This exemplary illustration of community outreach can only be partially quantified by the company’s sponsorship and participation in Family House’s annual Polo event. Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is the only corporate partner that has contributed to this premier fundraiser for 25 consecutive years and continues to sponsor the Great Meadows Polo Club from Virginia. In addition, the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Howard “Hoddy” Hanna III, served as Family House’s Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2001 through 2003. He now serves as an Emeritus board member.

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services’ support transcends Polo, however. Participation in other Family House events, including the Pittsburgh International Auto Show Charity Gala, and an active leadership in the consideration of our guests’ needs are only a few examples of the company’s philanthropic and charitable nature in relation to Family House.

As Family House celebrates its 25th anniversary, along with the silver anniversary of Polo, we are honored to bestow this prestigious and unique Family House Anniversary Award to Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. After sitting down with Hoddy and discussing his personal and professional relationship with Family House throughout the past quarter-century, it is evident the passion and dedication of the Hanna family and their company will continue long into the future.

After participating in Family House Polo for 25 years, Hoddy has become the region’s leading “expert” in the sport, explaining the event to local supporters, friends, family and co-workers. The event itself is a by-product of Family House’s unique fundraisers. The cause and the mission of Family House – providing a special "home away from home" for patients and families who must travel to Pittsburgh for treatment of serious or life-threatening illnesses – reminds polo-goers that their support and attendance results in a much larger reward for our guests.

Family House’s welcoming and caring outlook is reflective of the Hanna family’s involvement with our organization. Hoddy’s wife Mary Anne welcomed the opportunity to become Polo’s event chairman in 1998. And their personal invitation for guests to Polo this year reads, “The Hanna family invites your family to this year’s Polo event.” This strong emphasis on family and positive relationships mirrors Polo 2008’s theme: “Welcome Home to Family House.”

Thank you, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and the Hanna family, for your steadfast affection of Family House. Your care and loyalty to those you serve – from our guests to your families – deserves to be recognized, especially during this landmark year.

Family House is honored to recognize UPMC and all of the countless UPMC professionals, who, through the years, have lent their time, talent, support and expertise to assist us in delivering our mission.