The Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester celebrated its 30th annual Humanitarian Award Gala at Brae Burn Country Club on June 5, 2025. The theme of the event was “Dream Big” and featured three Club alumni who had pursued their dreams thanks to the lessons learned and support provided by the Club. There were over 250 guests in attendance and the event raised over $600,000.
The honorees are long-time supporters of BGCNW – Dr. Vidya Bhat and Hiral Shah were honored with the Humanitarian Award, and Monique and Dr. Stephen Grayson were honored with the John Beach Award.
The Humanitarian Award is the highest award the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester gives to individuals for outstanding support of the Club. It is presented for selfless contributions which have made a difference in the lives of youth and the future of the community.
Dr. Vidya Bhat and Mr. Hiral Shah, are champions of education, being recognized for their leadership within the Club and community. Hiral is a Managing Director and top-ranking financial advisor at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank & Co., and Vidya is an esteemed educator and administrator, currently serving as the Principal of Concord Road Elementary School in Ardsley. They are both deeply committed to giving back to their community. Hiral serves as a Board Member for the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester, where he helped secure funding for the Club’s third meal of the day program to combat food insecurity. A former “club kid” himself, he understands firsthand the transformative impact of youth programs. Vidya’s leadership in education extends beyond the classroom, fostering environments where children thrive academically and emotionally.
The Graysons are being honored for the decades of leadership, generosity, and selfless giving on behalf of the Club’s Marlins Swim Team and Aquatics community. Monique and Stephen have been immersed in the “dry side” of swimming for over 45 years, volunteering as timers, chauffeurs, photographers, cheerleaders, record keepers, and anything else that was needed. Their son Scott joined the then Boys Club of Mount Kisco Swim Team “The Performers” in 1983. By the time her son Kevin joined the team 2 years later, it had become the Marlins Swim Team under the guidance of Dennis Munson. Monique started helping with all the paperwork involved in the functioning of the team. Her passion came as a meet manager, running all Marlins’ home meets after the new pool opened in 1999.
This award, named for one of the Club’s foremost supporters and someone who truly exemplified the spirit of giving, Board member John Beach, who passed away in 2005 at the age of 94. The award was created in 1995 and is given to an individual, business, or organization for outstanding support of the Club.