Volunteer New York! has announced that five dedicated, local volunteers will be honored during Volunteer New York!’s annual 2026 Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit, presented by Regeneron. Volunteer New York!’s inspiring event will take place at the Westchester Marriott at 670 White Plains Road, Tarrytown on Friday, April 17 from 7:30 AM – 11 AM, with a pre- and post-event networking and a breakfast program at 8:30 AM.
For the past 46 years, the Volunteer Spirit Awards benefit has been held by Volunteer New York! annually in April during Global Volunteer Month to honor volunteers in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties. The event is attended by over 550 changemakers and community leaders, including representatives from the business, nonprofit, and civic sectors, to honor extraordinary individuals and groups of all ages who have made a significant difference in their communities. Nominations this year were held for five categories, and an independent panel of judges selects one individual volunteer or nonprofit group for each category. New this year are the Board Service Award,Community Impact Award, and Corporate Citizenship Award.
“Volunteer New York! is proud to once again honor and celebrate organizations and individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in our community,” said Volunteer New York!’s Executive Director, Polly Lagana. “This year, we are especially excited to count two outstanding young volunteers among our group of five, all of whom are exemplifying the purpose and power of volunteerism for all generations of leaders. We are also honored to present the Legacy Award to biotechnology company Regeneron for its outstanding contributions through service and a deep commitment to community impact. We are proud to shine a spotlight, all our award recipients or their dedication to building a more connected and resilient world.”
Tickets, congratulatory journal ads, and event sponsorship opportunities are currently available online at volunteernewyork.org/awards. For all inquiries, please contact Dylan Pyne at dylan@volunteernewyork.org.
MEET THE 2026 WINNERS
Board Service Award: Dr. Alexandria A. Connally of Yonkers for volunteer action with Westchester County Youth Board
Community Impact Award: Ruud Haring of Cortlandt Manor for volunteer action with Yonkers Partners in Education. Presented by PCSB Community Foundation
Corporate Citizenship Award: Carla Volpe Porter of Larchmont for volunteer action with Cancer Support Team. Presented by PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP
Social Advocacy Award: Adanhyr Morocho of Sleepy Hollow for volunteer action with Westchester Youth Alliance
Youth Leadership Award: Christopher Canales of Yonkers for volunteer action with One Paso. Presented by WMCHealth
Legacy Award: Regeneron. Presented by Volunteer New York!
Every year Volunteer New York! selects a recipient for its Legacy Award that goes to a business or civic leader who has made a personal and professional commitment to volunteerism, has significantly supported the values and mission of Volunteer New York!, and who encourages deep community engagement in service. By honoring Regeneron with the 2026 Legacy Award, we celebrate not just the organization itself but the people, culture, and sustained commitment to employee engagement behind its impact. This award recognizes Regeneron’s enduring partnership with Volunteer New York! and its belief that volunteerism is essential to building healthier, more connected communities for all.
Regeneron is a biotechnology company headquartered in Tarrytown with a mission to harness the power of science to create life-changing medicines, while living its guiding principle of “Doing Well by Doing Good.” For more than 35 years, Regeneron has paired scientific innovation with a deep commitment to community impact, fostering a culture of volunteerism that is embedded across its workforce. Through a longstanding partnership with Volunteer New York! Regeneron colleagues engage in meaningful service that supports older adults, food-insecure families, students, and underserved populations locally and globally. By leveraging its people, resources, and expertise, Regeneron demonstrates how corporate leadership and volunteerism can work hand in hand to strengthen communities and create lasting, positive change. The Legacy Award recognizes this impact and our ongoing commitment to strengthening our communities through service.
2026 VSA AWARD JUDGES
Blakely Brodback, Sally Cavada, Tom Gabriel, Phillip Ham, Rob Pisano, Alessandra Restiano, Linda Tyler, Susan Warner, Marissa Weidner, Robin White, Lilian Wu, Chivas Wakuta
