Health group honors Yankee author

By Howard Goldin

The Riverdale Mental Health Association (RMHA) will hold its 52^nd anniversary gala on May 4 at The Lighthouse on Chelsea Pier in Manhattan. Sports will be the focus as its two honorees are veterans of the sporting scene. New York Yankee official, Ray Negron, and tennis great Cliff Richey will be recognized for their long-time work in helping those afflicted with mental illness.

Negron began his association with the Yankees shortly after George Steinbrenner purchased the franchise in 1973. The often told story describes Negron, then a teenager, was grabbed by Steinbrenner after being seen drawing graffiti on the exterior of Yankee Stadium. The tale does not end sadly nor predictably at that point. Steinbrenner, as he usually did, made his own decision in what he believed would benefit the individual involved. He offered the youngster the job of batboy as an opportunity to raise the money to pay for the damage he did.

The relationship between the millionaire businessman and the poor Bronx born teenager lasted until Steinbrenner’s death in June of 2010. During many of Negron’s adult working years, he was an employee of the Yankees. In addition to his work in the borough of his birth, Negron was gainfully employed in a number of jobs. He played baseball in the minor leagues, was community relations director for Spalding Sporting Goods, appeared as an actor in motion pictures, and most recently was the author of best-selling children’s books.

Despite his busy work schedule, Negron always finds time to devote to charitable endeavors, especially those involving children in need. Negron can, on many occasions, be found in schools, parks and hospitals attempting to brighten the days and better the lives of children in the metropolitan area. He often encourages pro athletes and entertainment personalities to accompany him on these missions of goodness.

The other award recipient for his work in promoting mental health is tennis veteran cliff Richey. Despite his more than a quarter of a century success in tennis, Richey’s strongest life-long contender was depression. His battle against depression was detailed in a volume he wrote with his daughter, Hilaire, entitled, “Acing Depression: a Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match”.

The RMHA has been assisting the people of the northwest Bronx, upper Manhattan and Westchester County since 1959. Founded by members of the Society of Ethical Culture, the organization offers help to individuals from infancy to senior citizen status. It offers services from its outpatient clinic, consults with families and school officials to improve the academic performances of children in school, and has a program, ReSolve Center for Recovery, to assist those with substance abuse problems. Its newest feature is the Riverdale PROS (Personalized Recovery-Oriented Services). The organization is located at 5676 Riverdale Avenue. It can be reached by phone at 1-718-796-5300. Those wishing to attend the gala can contact Adrianne Lange at alange@rmha.org