Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
This year marks the fourth annual Pelham Girl Scouts Community Day, taking place March 6–7, 2026. As the event continues to grow, we remain grateful for the support of our sponsors - Capital Realty, Maurice Owen-Michaane, and COMPASS, Sona Davidian - whose contributions allow us to offer a wide range of free, engaging, and educational activities for both Pelham Girl Scouts and the broader Pelham community.
The first Pelham Girl Scouts Community Day was held in 2023, during a period when many communities were working to reconnect following extended isolation and a gradual return to in-person activities. At the time, the goal was simple: to create a space where girls, families, and community members could come together in a safe and welcoming environment. While it was not initially planned as an annual event, the positive response made it clear that there was value in continuing the effort.
PGS Community Day was an effort to bring the community together and to show girls that leadership doesn’t always look loud or perfect - it looks like showing up. It looks like helping hands, listening ears, brave conversations, and shared experiences. It looks like girls seeing women lead, neighbors supporting neighbors, and young people realizing they have the power to make their community stronger. It includes opportunities for hands-on learning, conversation, and collaboration, allowing girls to observe leadership in action and recognize their own ability to contribute meaningfully to their community.
Each year, the event offers a changing itinerary of purposeful experiences, including career panels, safety education, service projects, and recreational activities. This year, we are working collaboratively with the Pelham Fire Department to offer fire safety and first aid stations as part of Community Day programming. Together, these elements highlight that Girl Scouts is about more than badges or individual programs—it is about building skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Community Day has become a strong reflection of Pelham Girl Scouts’ commitment to leadership development and community engagement. One significant commitment of the day is the continued highlighting of girls' initiatives as they pursue highest awards with the support and guidance of co-service unit manager Gabrielle Grimaldi-Bellettieri. It brings together girls, volunteers, families, and local organizations in support of shared goals.
Leading Community Day and furthering its reach year by year has been rewarding for me. Its success reflects the incredible collaboration of our girls, volunteers, families, and community partners in creating lasting impact.
Liselle Sakhrani
Co-Servicing Unit Manager
Pelham Girl Scouts
Our Story
Woven into Community Life
Over the decades, Girl Scouts in Pelham have become deeply woven into the fabric of the community, blending education, service, and tradition. Long-standing events such as fall camping, cookie booths, Veterans Day deliveries, Memorial Day
parades, and holiday sing-alongs have brought multiple troops together while engaging families and neighbors. Scouts have honored local veterans through the long-running Thank-A-Vet program (A Gold Award project implemented by Girl Scout Kayla Cartell in 2009), partnered with schools to create kindness rock gardens, repacked produce for food-insecure families, and collaborated with local
emergency services on safety training and preparedness.
Large-scale initiatives—from environmental stewardship projects with the Environmental Coalition of the Pelhams (EcoPel) to meal-packing efforts benefiting thousands with non profits like Rise Against Hunger and Grassroots Grocery—demonstrate how Pelham Girl Scouts consistently translate values into action.
These activities highlight not only the leadership of the girls, but also the collaborative partnership between Girl Scouts, volunteers, and community organizations.
Girl Scouting Today in Pelham
Today, Pelham Girl Scouts remain a thriving part of the Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson council, with 30 active Troops and Juliette Girl Scouts serving 430+ Pelham girls from kindergarten Daisies through high school Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. Even through challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
local troops maintained strong engagement through both virtual and in-person programming. Modern Girl Scouting in Pelham emphasizes leadership and service, including Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects, Skill development, from outdoor adventure and STEM to wellness, first aid, and safety education. Through these experiences, Girl Scouts gain confidence, resilience, and a sense of civic
responsibility that extends far beyond their years in uniform.
Meet The Pelham Girl Scouts Service Unit 731 Board
