Contact: Lisa Kaslyn
Prosper Communications
lisa@prospercomm.com
Legendary NY Mets Pitcher, Dwight (Doc) Gooden, Cheers on Players – Shares Experience, Strength and Hope with Attendees and Teens from the Youth Shelter of Westchester
Funds Raised will Continue to Support BYSC’ Vital Community Sports Programs Serving 3,000 Kids from the Youth Shelter of Westchester, White Plains Youth Bureau, Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club, Special Needs Young Athletes of Westchester, among others
WHITE PLAINS, NY — More than 150 basketball aficionados, monster-jammers, and amateur buzz beaters raised $80K when they teamed up on Sunday, October 14, 2018, at the Westchester County Center for Backyard Sports Cares (BYSC) 5th annual 3 vs. 3 Basketball Tournament. This year’s event was highlighted by legendary NY Mets pitcher, Dwight (Doc) Gooden, who cheered on the players, signed autographs, interacted with special needs athletes, and communicated a strong message to at-risk teens about the importance of valuing second chances.

“I had the pleasure of speaking with teenagers from the Youth Shelter of Westchester about changing one’s life around,” said Doc Gooden. “Getting a second chance and taking advantage of it — I’ve been there. I was a World Series Champ and I’ve also been to prison. Things happen so quickly in life. Young people make mistakes, but once you’re given a second chance, it’s what you do with it to move forward that matters. There’s no such thing as a bad kid. There are bad decisions. The important thing is to be accountable for your mistakes and learn, so you turn a mess into a message.”

“I am deeply grateful and moved by the generous support of our sponsors, donors, and families who have committed financially and of their time to be part of this important event,” said Danny Bernstein, executive director, Backyard Sports Cares. “The $80,000 raised at this event will help us to keep vital community sports programs in place that we run through dozens of Westchester schools and community organizations, such as the Youth Shelter of Westchester, White Plains Youth Bureau, Mount Vernon Boys & Girls Club, and Special Needs Young Athletes of Westchester.”
Backyard Sports Cares (BYSC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and the leading provider of community team sports programs for more than 3,000 at-risk and special needs youth in Westchester County. For more information, visit byardsportscares.org.
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