Polo in the Palisades returns to support Miriam’s House after wildfire pause

Miriam’s House will bring back Polo in the Palisades on Sept. 19 at Will Rogers Historic State Park, marking the event’s first return since the Pacific Palisades fires forced a 2025 pause. The fundraiser will honor recovery leaders, firefighters and community champions while supporting housing and recovery services for women and children.

Why it matters: - The event helps fund Miriam’s House, which provides safe housing and recovery services for women and their children. - The fundraiser supports a family-centered model aimed at helping families overcome homelessness, addiction, trauma and poverty while staying together. - The return of Polo in the Palisades signals a community recovery milestone after the Pacific Palisades fires disrupted the 2025 event.

What happened: - Miriam’s House will hold the 18th Annual Polo in the Palisades on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Will Rogers Historic State Park in Los Angeles. - The event marks the first Polo in the Palisades since the Pacific Palisades fires forced a pause in 2025. - The gathering is expected to bring together community leaders, philanthropists, entertainment and business figures, recovery professionals, families and longtime supporters. - Brenda Valiente, executive director of Miriam’s House, said the return is about resilience, honoring people who showed up during the crisis and keeping women and children together in recovery.

The details: - Polo in the Palisades has served as Miriam’s House’s signature fundraising event for nearly two decades. - The afternoon will include live polo, food and beverages, and an awards celebration. - The event has become a regular gathering for Los Angeles’ philanthropic, entertainment, business and recovery communities. - In 2024, the 17th Annual Polo in the Palisades drew more than 600 guests and raised more than $750,000 for Miriam’s House and its programs. - This year’s honorees include Dr. Mel Pohl, chief medical officer of The Pointe Malibu Recovery Center, who will receive the Distinguished Service in the Field of Recovery Award. - Dr. Moe Gelbart, executive director of the Thelma McMillen Recovery Center, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. - Robert C. and Cindy Zapel of the Amy Phillips Charitable Foundation will receive the Spirit of Miriam’s Award. - Miriam’s House said the award recognizes the foundation’s support for the community and children’s causes.

Between the lines: - The event is being framed not just as a fundraiser, but as a public show of recovery and solidarity after the fires. - Honoring firefighters alongside recovery leaders ties disaster response to the organization’s broader mission of healing and family stability. - Patricia Meyers, board president and event chair, said the 2026 honorees reflect people who helped families recover, fought fires or created opportunities for people to rebuild their lives.

What’s next: - The Sept. 19 event will again raise funds for Miriam’s House programs serving women in recovery and their children. - Miriam’s House says the organization will continue using its family-centered model to provide housing, parenting support, employment readiness and other resources. - More information is available at the Miriam’s House website.

The bottom line: - Polo in the Palisades is back as both a fundraiser and a recovery marker for a community still rebuilding after the Pacific Palisades fires.