Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year and Westchester Soccer Club Soccer Academy Scholarship Winners Also to Be Announced
The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle will host its 96th Annual Golf Outing and Be Great Gala on May 5, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., a day-long celebration of community, leadership and youth development. Tickets are available at www.bgcnr.org/#golf-gala; all proceeds underwrite programs and services benefiting more than 10,000 youths in 2024.
The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and The Mariano Rivera Public Foundation will announce a partnership supporting innovative career pathways for hundreds of youths. Boys & Girls Club also will announce its Youth of the Year and winners of full-ride scholarships to a soccer academy operated by the Westchester Soccer Club, a new professional team playing in the United Soccer League’s League One. In addition, Boys & Girls Club will honor five invaluable community supporters and the Gala will feature a can’t-miss dance performance by Remington Clubhouse children.
“May 5 will be an incredibly meaningful day that announces an important career-readiness program for our Boys & Girls Club, honors inspiring youths and celebrates unwavering supporters who ensure that every Boys & Girls Club youth has the vital resources and a safe and innovative place to thrive,” said CEO Becky Mazzanobile. “Our youths are seen, valued and supported, and that inspiration fuels great futures.”
Themed “Golf by Day and Dinner/Gala by Night,” the golf and Gala at the historical Wykagyl Country Club will welcome supporters of Boys & Girls Club’s mission to nurture youths’ futures through comprehensive programming, mentorship, academic support, leadership development, career readiness, civics, the arts, athletics and wellness. The Be Great Gala is generously supported by The Clark Family.
This year’s Gala spotlights five incredible honorees whose spirit of service, compassion and innovation defines Boys & Girls Club’s mission.
- Robert Gazzola, Police Commissioner, City of New Rochelle: A lifelong New Rochelle resident, Gazzola has served the city’s Police Department for nearly four decades. Appointed Commissioner in 2021, he has held numerous leadership roles and is recognized for his commitment to public safety, community engagement and law enforcement excellence.
- Junior League of Pelham: The Junior League is being honored for its dedication to volunteerism and community advocacy.
- Rick Monzon, Executive Director, The Miracle League of Westchester and Managing Partner, Sparx Technologies: Monzon, a longtime New Rochelle resident, has spent decades championing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities while supporting organizations that strengthen the community.
- Rhiannon Navin, Board of Directors, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle and the New Rochelle Public Library: Navin is a bestselling author, community advocate and dedicated civic leader. Since moving to New Rochelle in 2014, she has served on numerous boards and committees, championing youth empowerment and civic engagement.
- Justin Sherman, Major League Baseball Youth Ambassador and Founder, JustinTime Baseball: Sherman is a dedicated supporter of youth athletics and the mission of Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle.
“These exceptional honorees demonstrate heartfelt commitment to uplifting others and driving meaningful change through leadership, service and volunteerism,” Mazzanobile said. “Their efforts reflect the very values we strive to instill in the next generation, and we are proud to celebrate their vital contributions toward building a stronger, more inclusive community where all young people can thrive.”
Events on May 5 begin at 11 a.m. with brunch at Wykagyl Country Club, world renowned for its beauty and history dating to 1898. Golf starts at 1 p.m.; afterward, Wykagyl hosts the Be Great Gala at 5:30 p.m., a memorable evening of celebration and friendship. The Be Great Gala will focus on Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s broad impact and emphasize how continued community support cultivates growth and opportunities for local youth. Gala guests are encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire.
For 95 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 10,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.