2026 VOLUNTEER NEW YORK! VOLUNTEER SPIRIT AWARDS
APRIL 17, 2026 • 7:30 AM • TARRYTOWN
Join us in celebrating and recognizing the outstanding volunteers who make a difference on Friday, April 17, 2026 during National Volunteer Month. Together, let's honor the incredible unsung heroes who uplift our community!
The 2026 Volunteer Spirit Awards will introduce three new award categories: the Board Service Award, Community Impact Award, and Corporate Citizenship Award. We will continue awarding the Social Advocacy and Youth Leadership awards.
.png)
Regeneron, a biotechnology company headquartered in Tarrytown, has been a trailblazer in scientific innovation and a steadfast pillar of community support for more than 35 years. Founded with a mission to harness the power of science to create life-changing medicines, Regeneron has grown into one of the largest employers in Westchester County, catalyzing the development of a thriving biotechnology ecosystem in the region. Yet, its influence extends far beyond the lab. Guided by the principle of “Doing Well by Doing Good,” Regeneron has seamlessly integrated its scientific excellence with an unwavering commitment to community betterment.
A hallmark of Regeneron’s ethos is its dedication to volunteerism, which is deeply embedded in the company culture. With a workforce that volunteers at a rate twice the national average, Regeneron’s colleagues embody the company’s mission to make a tangible difference in the communities they serve.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Regeneron and Volunteer New York! collaborating to create “Day for Doing Good,” a weeklong volunteer initiative that has grown into the largest volunteer effort in Westchester County, and which extends to Regeneron’s sites globally. Volunteer New York! plays a pivotal role in connecting Regeneron’s workforce with meaningful opportunities to positively impact our local community. Through their mutual efforts, Regeneron has supported older adults by providing companionship and essential resources, assisted food-insecure families by packing and distributing meals, inspired students through STEM mentorship and educational programs, and uplifted underserved populations by addressing critical needs like access to healthcare supplies and educational opportunities.
This partnership exemplifies how a business and nonprofit organization can unite to amplify community impact through service. This shared vision and collaborative approach have fostered meaningful change for countless individuals and organizations in the community. In 2025, the partnership supported 126 in the local community. Globally, 7,100 Regeneron volunteers contributed more than 28,000 hours of service, supporting 230 organizations. Since the launch of Day for Doing Good in 2017, our employee volunteers have contributed volunteer time valued at more than $4.7 million.
Regeneron’s impact is not confined to volunteerism; it also extends to sustainability, advocacy, and community resilience. By leveraging its resources, expertise, and the passion of its colleagues, Regeneron has become a model of how businesses can drive positive change while achieving scientific and economic success.
Volunteer New York! is proud to honor Regeneron with the Volunteer Service Legacy Award for its outstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. As a cornerstone of Westchester’s community, Regeneron demonstrates the power of collaboration, innovation, and service. Together with partners like Volunteer New York!, Regeneron continues to shape a brighter future for all.
VSA Event Sponsors
PCSB Community Foundation, PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP, Regeneron, Webster Bank, WMCHealth, and SCF Wealth Management Group at UBS
VSA Award Judges
Blakely Brodbeck, Sally Cavada, Tom Gabriel, Phillip Ham, Rob Pisano, Alessandra Restiano, Linda Tyler, Susan Warner, Marissa Weidner, Robin White, Lilian Wu, and Chivas Wakuta
VSA Steering Committee
Lydia Kris (Chair), Joanne Kirkpatrick (Chair Emeritus), Dr. Carmen L. Martínez-López, Laura Romeo Sobel, Becky Silverstein, Steve Sonet, and Christine Stufano
PURCHASE A JOURNAL AD! EVENT SPONSORSHIP
About the Volunteer Spirit Awards
The Volunteer New York! Volunteer Spirit Awards breakfast benefit is held annually in April during Global Volunteer Month to honor volunteers in Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties. The event is attended by over 550 “who’s who” leaders from the community, including representatives from the business, nonprofit, and public sectors, to recognize extraordinary individuals and groups who have made a significant difference in their communities. Nominations are held for six categories, and an independent panel of judges selects one individual volunteer or nonprofit group for each category. The event is Volunteer New York!’s only annual event fundraiser and is supported through sponsorships, journal ads, ticket and table sales, and individual donations leading up to the event and during our 2-minute pledge, much of which is driven in honor and celebration of the individual volunteer and nonprofit group honorees, and the nominating organizations.
Watch the 45th Annual Volunteer New York! Volunteer Spirit Awards
2025 Journal Book