I need to remind myself more often about that saying we tell school children all the time: Just Say No.

No, I’m not talking about heroin or meth or even Bob Marley’s favorite leafy treat. I can skip the mind-altering substances without difficulty (except for a nice pinot grigio now and then, natch).

But I can’t say no to a charity event. Particularly a fun event that involves horses — my personal obsession — and great people watching.

Granted, if I had said no, I wouldn’t be heading down to the Polo Reserve tonight for the 2006 Denver Polo Classic’s “Diamonds and Divots” black-tie gala, held under a huge white tent (think mini-DIA on a grassy hillside). They’ll serve up dinner and dancing with the Hazel Miller Band, and do silent and live auctions for fine wines, artwork, and even a four-day safari trip. I’m volunteering tonight, along with dozens of other women who have signed on to help the members of Denver’s Active 20-30 group, who organize the event to raise money for the Children’s Foundation.

Tonight is only the beginning. Saturday is family day, with plenty of fun activities for all ages and ongoing polo patches throughout the afternoon, and Sunday is the championship polo match, where world-class polo players compete on the field, and guests break out their best garden party attire (huge hats!) to sip mimosas and bloody marys in the shade. If you want to join the party, there are still tickets available.

Best part? Once the guests leave on Sunday after the polo party winds down, the 20-30 members and volunteers gather for a killer private after-party, complete with DJs, champagne, and congratulatory celebrations for a job well done. That’s the real payoff for Just Saying Yes.