The Rye YMCA honor omni-volunteer Staci Ramachandran for her volunteer work and four leaders from Rye Presbyterian Church (RPC) for their community service in facilitating the sale of All Souls Church in Port Chester to the Rye YMCA. The group’s Woodstock-themed Annual Benefit, will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 at the Shenorock Shore Club in Rye.
The benefit will offer the high-energy band ETA Music, dinner and a live auction. All proceeds will support the Y Cares Financial Assistance Program, which provides membership, child care, summer camp, and program scholarships for those facing economic hardship. Tickets start at $250.
The Gold Spirit Award
The Gold Spirit Award is the Rye Y’s highest award for its volunteers. Recipients are selected by former Gold Spirit winners for their leadership and service on behalf of the Y. This year’s awardee is Staci Ramachandran. A Rye Y member for over 20 years, Ramachandran served two three-year terms on the Y’s board of directors. During that time, she co-chaired the Annual Benefit, served on the Financial Development Committee, and volunteered at the Rye Derby. She is a former board member for Wainwright House, The Sharing Shelf and Family Services of Westchester and a former board governor at Coveleigh Club.
Five mornings a week Ramachandran can be found at the Y Studios. “I look forward to seeing my Y friends and working out with instructors who motivate us to work hard,” she said. “My children grew up at the Y, attending summer camp, After School Adventures, gymnastics and participating on the swim team. I benefitted tremendously from my time on the board, surrounded by incredible fellow board members and Y staff leadership. The Rye Y is an integral part of my life.”
Since 2024, Ramachandran has worked as a Legal Coordinator for Acadia Realty Trust while parenting, with husband Anand, Ava, age 22 and Ty, age 18.
The Community Service Award
The Community Service Award will be presented to four leaders from Rye Presbyterian Church (RPC) in recognition of their collective leadership and dedication in facilitating the sale of All Souls Church in Port Chester to the Rye YMCA. Following a comprehensive renovation, the building will be transformed to address a critical community need by expanding access to affordable, licensed child care. The planned facility will serve up to 103 infants and children, supporting working families and helping children get a strong start in life.
This collaborative effort represents a significant investment in the future of the Port Chester community, including RPC’s commitment to reinvest a significant portion of the purchase price through financial assistance to help Port Chester families access child care.
The RPC honorees include:
G. Patrick McGunagle. A finance executive who has held posts with Citigroup, JP Morgan, AXA Advisors and Pan American Life, McGunagle serves as an Elder at RPC and chairs the Mission and Outreach Committee and the All Souls Task Force.
Rev. Dr. John Miller. Ordained in 1982, Rev. Miller has served nine different Presbyterian churches in California, Texas and New York. His most recent post, from 2013-2025, was as co-pastor at Rye Presbyterian Church (RPC).
Terry Stack. Stack is a trustee at RPC and a former board member at the Rye Arts Center. A resident of White Plains, he is a principal at TR Stack Business Consulting. He calls the Port Chester child care center project his most rewarding volunteer experience.
Scott Snell. Snell has served two terms on the RPC board of trustees, including a stint as president from 2020-2021. He has also volunteered with several food assistance programs through RPC and coached Rye Youth Soccer and Rye Little League Baseball. A finance executive, he is currently president of Sharp Corporation.
