Friday, July 18, 2025
Love, Nana, a beloved community organization in Rockville Centre, was honored at the New York Yankees’ June 16 game against the Los Angeles Angels. The ceremony at Yankee Stadium kicked off the team’s HOPE Week, which stands for Helping Others Persevere and Excel.
Love, Nana has been helping those in need since 2020, and its storefront on Seaman Avenue has become a fixture in the village. Founded by Joan Hyland, who’s known as Nana, the nonprofit assembles bundles of new and gently used clothing, books and toys for infants and babies up to age 2 for families in need.
Backyard Players & Friends, a nonprofit founded by Hyland’s daughter, Ellen White, is connected to the organization, and provides skills training for teens and young adults with intellectual disabilities.
“I was initially overwhelmed by all the attention,” Hyland told the Herald, “but as soon as I met Jason Zillo” — the Yankees’ vice president of communications and media relations — “Aaron (Judge), Fernando (Cruz), Paul (Goldschmidt) and the rest of the Yankee players and their families, I was immediately put at ease. Being recognized during HOPE Week was such an incredible honor for me, Love, Nana and the Backyard Players friends and family.”
Before the game, Hyland and her family, Yankees players and coaches and Backyard Players members and volunteers put together “baby bundles,” packages of clothing and other products to be donated to other organizations on Long Island, in New York City and in New Jersey.
During HOPE Week, the Yankees honor those who inspire the New York community in a variety of ways. According to the team’s website, “On each of five consecutive days … the Yankees shine a spotlight on a different individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. Each day is designed so honorees can share their inspirational stories with Yankees players, fans and the media, while being surprised with the day of their dreams.”
“When HOPE Week started, going through all the different options, I circled this one,” Judge, the Yankees’ captain, said in a video posted on the team’s Facebook page, referring to Love, Nana, “thinking that it really hit home for me, getting the chance to help some families in need, give them clothes, books, bibs. It’s just amazing work what the Backyard Players and Love, Nana are doing.”
Before the game against the Angels, Hyland threw the ceremonial first pitch to pitcher Fernando Cruz. Hyland wore a custom Yankees jersey that read “Nana” across the back that her grandson Joseph gave her a week before the game.
“When Aaron Boone told me that I would be throwing out the first pitch, my first thought was that I couldn’t do it,” Hyland said. “I saw my grandchildren watching, many of whom are athletes, and I was hoping I could at least get it across the plate.”
The New York Yankees Foundation also donated $10,000 to Love, Nana to help fund its continued service to the community.
“HOPE Week reminds us that hope isn’t just an idea — it’s an action,” White said, “an action that you can show up for every single day. Just like Nana and the Backyard Players do.”
Hyland expressed her gratitude for the experience, and the recognition Love, Nana will get from this exposure.
“I meet wonderful people coming through my door,” she said, “and now, because of the Yankees, more and more people will find out about us, more and more people will be helped, and I’m so grateful.”
To learn more about Love, Nana, go to BYPandFriends.com.
