Boys & Girls Club Day for Kids West End Fall Festival a Hit

On Saturday, September 19, the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle “BGCNR” held its first annual festival at the Columbus Elementary School. Director of Operations, Eric Woodlin, said that “over 250 children participated in games, blow up rides and other activities.” There were local vendors selling food and handmade crafts. There were also several live bands including Third Stone whose drummer is Dave Bergamini, a New Rochelle school teacher at Webster Elementary School. A fund raising competition was held between BGCNR’s afterschool Club sites. Each site put together a gift basket and sold tickets for a raffle. The competition was fierce between the kids with each table pleading with visitors to buy a raffle ticket. The Mascaro Clubhouse won the competition and will have an ice cream party for their success. The competition raised over $800 and the funds will be used for afterschool Club programs.

Also participating in the event and providing public outreach were the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence and the Montefiore New Rochelle’s WIC program. Volunteers from Iona College and Monroe College were vital in helping to set up the event. BGCNR sends a special thanks to Sonia Nunez, the principal of Columbus Elementary School, for her support in promoting the event, allowing us to use the playing field and her family presence during the event.

Winnie Madden, Finance Manager for BGCNR, stated that “one of the goals of the festival was to offer a fun and engaging community outreach event to children that the Club most serves, beyond the day-to-day activities that the Club provides.” The event was clearly a huge success and next year promises to build on this success.

The Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has after school programs at five Club sites, their building centered Clubs are located in Remington and Mascaro. BGCNR also operates three afterschool Club sites in New Rochelle school districts Trinity, Ward and Davis schools. BGCNR serves over 1,200 members annually. The Club was founded 86 years ago and has served tens of thousands of children from all races and creeds and has provided a safe, nurturing environment and providing programs helping children to become responsible, successful and community minded citizens. (Reported by D. Madden)

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