Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle to Host
Annual Golf Outing and Be Great Gala on May 5
Celebrating community leadership with honorees Mariano Rivera and Clara Rivera, Terry Clements, Keith Watkins and Sheldon Pride
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., April 22, 2026 – The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle will host its Annual Golf Outing and Be Great Gala on May 5, 2026, a day-long celebration of community, leadership and youth development. Tickets, sponsorship and journal ad opportunities are available at bgcnr.org, with all proceeds supporting programs and services benefiting more than 12,166 youths in 2025.
The event will take place at Wykagyl Country Club, one of Westchester County’s most historic and distinguished golf venues, at 1195 North Ave. in New Rochelle. Attendees have the option to participate in the golf outing, the evening Be Great Gala, or both. With a festive Cinco de Mayo theme, this year’s celebration promises a fun, vibrant and inclusive atmosphere for supporters, community leaders and friends of the Club.
“This day is more than a celebration; it’s a powerful opportunity for our community to come together in support of young people and the programs that help them thrive,” said Becky Mazzanobile, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. “When you invest in the Club, and attend our Golf Outing and Be Great Gala, you’re investing in academic success, strong leadership and brighter futures for thousands of youths across Westchester County.”
This year’s honorees include Yankees legend and Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara Rivera, who generously support the Club through the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center, Westchester County Legislator Terry Clements, Keith Watkins, Director of Facilities for the City School District of New Rochelle and Sheldon Pride, former President of the Board of Directors of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle. Their commitment to service, leadership and community embodies the spirit of the Be Great Gala.
Generously supported by The Clark Family, the Be Great Gala will highlight the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s broad and lasting impact across the community. The evening will celebrate academic achievement, innovation, the 2026 Youth of the Year Leslie Rodriguez and invaluable community supporters who help make the Club’s mission possible. Former Youth of the Year Sean Merlo will also be recognized as a recipient of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Sparkle Scholarship Award, which provides funding for college expenses. Guests will also enjoy a can’t-miss performance by the Club’s talented youths.
Guests will experience a dynamic and engaging program that reflects the breadth of the Club’s impact, including recognition of this year’s honorees, a performance by talented Club members and highlights from youth programs such as the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center. Youth from the Club’s Career Workforce Development Pathways will also be on hand to welcome guests. The evening will feature an exciting live auction with exclusive experiences, a Giving Tree supporting direct contributions and opportunities to participate through journal advertisements.
In the past year, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has expanded its reach and impact, growing from serving more than 10,000 youths in 2024 to more than 12,000 youths in 2025 across all program areas, including LEAPS in elementary school, 21st Century programs in middle and high school and the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Pathways for young adults ages 18 to 24. Highlights include:
- Launch and graduation of cohorts in the Culinary Career Track, Police Career Pathway, EMS/EMT, Firefighting, Legal and Digital Printing and Entrepreneurial pathways through the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center, providing hands-on training, industry certifications and career pathways
- Recognition from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, including CEO Becky Mazzanobile being named Northeast Area Council CEO of the Year for the second consecutive year and Chief Program Officer William Iannuzzi receiving the Advocacy Innovation Award
- Hosting New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul at the Remington Clubhouse for a major announcement supporting the LINC project, reinforcing the Club’s role as a trusted community anchor
- Welcoming more than 350 attendees to its Community Wellness Expo, presented in partnership with Westchester County and Greater Hudson Valley The Links, Inc. and co-sponsored by Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures, Black K.A.R.E., Montefiore New Rochelle and Grow! Eat, providing free health screenings, education and resources to the community
- Receiving regional media coverage from NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47 during a special community event celebrating a Knicks and NBCUniversal art installation at the Club
- Being honored by the Westchester County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. during its annual gala for comprehensive community impact and youth services, recognizing the Club’s commitment to inclusive and equitable opportunities and its lasting impact on the lives and futures of young people across the communityHonoring Leslie Rodriguez as the 2026 Youth of the Year for her leadership, academic achievement and commitment to service
Together, these milestones underscore the Club’s commitment to preparing young people for academic success, leadership and lifelong achievement.
The day begins at 11 a.m. with brunch at Wykagyl Country Club, world-renowned for its beauty and rich history dating back to 1898. The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has proudly partnered with Wykagyl Country Club for more than 60 years. Golf will tee off at 1 p.m., followed by the Be Great Gala at 5:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in semi-formal attire for the evening celebration.
Every dollar raised through the Golf Outing and Gala underwrites critical programs, including mentorship, academic enrichment, leadership development, career readiness, civics, the arts, athletics and wellness initiatives. As one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle continues to provide safe, supportive and achievement-driven environments where young people can thrive.
Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and journal advertisements for the Golf Outing and Be Great Gala are available at https://secure.givelively.org/event/boys-and-girls-club-of-new-rochelle-inc/be-great-gala.
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 12,000 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.
