The New Rochelle YMCA hosted its major annual fundraiser, the 2025 Sneaker Ball, last month in its newly renovated gym. With close to 200 people in attendance, the room felt more like a celebration with old friends.
The New Rochelle YMCA has been an important gem in the community since 1899, representing not just New Rochelle, but Pelham, Mt. Vernon, Larchmont and surrounding towns. Among those who attended were U.S. Congressman George Latimer, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, Westchester County Legislators Terry Clements and Judan Holstein, and local elected officials from New Rochelle and Mt. Vernon.
The featured speaker was a single mother from New Rochelle, Sonya Lee, who courageously shared her story, describing her struggles with mental health and the profound positive impact the YMCA summer camp scholarship had on both her and her daughter. Lee’s story highlighted just how deeply the Y touches the lives of residents in our community. Lee said her daughter “made memories she will have for a lifetime! We have all the pictures that the Y sent us, so when she is older she can tell her kids, ‘Look where I went.’ She can feel she is special too, just like the other kids.”
YMCA chief executive Jennifer Ryan Safsel said, “We want to thank our wonderful, elected officials, Board of Directors, Sponsors, Y members and local individuals that supported this important event.“ Safsel, who lives in Pelham, also thanked the many Pelham supporters who showed up for the event.
The evening’s honorees were the law firm of Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Curto, LLP, of Yonkers, and Joseph Silvestri from FB Rugs, the firm that renovated the gym floor. The YMCA also saluted Westchester County for its support.
The event sponsors were: The Fierstein/Homan Family, Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Curto, LLP, Joe Silvestri/FB Rugs, Empire Harley-Davidson, The New Rochelle YMCA, Board of Directors, Webster Bank, Aruba Productions, M&T Bank, Teddone Family, Holly Mellstrom, Ricki Gardner and Will Cavanagh, Sona Davidian, Robert Kessner, the New Rochelle Rotary Club, Judith Fishlow and Mark Minter, Cynthia DelFino, Robert Kessner.
The main goal of the Sneaker Ball is to raise funds to help families in need send their children to summer camp. If you want to contribute, go to https://nrymca.org/give. For more information or to purchase a banner, call Dafne Ginn at (914) 632-1818 x25.