Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Gabriella Boyd Memorial Foundation.

On Saturday, a number of Pelham families joined in the Gabriella Boyd Memorial Foundation walk, which started at Iona College and continued through Pelham and back to Iona.

The Gabriella Boyd Memorial Foundation was created on April 28 after the tragic and devastating loss of Gabriella at only two and a half years old. Her father, Stephen Boyd, began this non-profit organization in order to not only honor his little girl but also to help those who are struggling to have a voice and be heard.

The Gabriella Boyd Memorial Foundation has a mission to help educate and assist those who have struggled to have a voice in custody situations. We want to be able to help those who are struggling, just like Stephen did, to have a chance to better understand their rights and the family court system. This foundation has the help of local law enforcement, social workers, family lawyers and community activists for parents who want to be present in their children’s lives, but are struggling to find the necessary steps and their voice in the process. There will be informational seminars held quarterly to provide help to those who would like to join us. We are also involved with other foundations who also have the same goal of promoting equality in family law in order to focus on the well-being of our children.

The generous funds that are being donated to our foundation will be used to donate to charities and other organizations that are related to helping bring attention to being proactive in the family court system, as well as child welfare. In addition, this foundation will not only donate but focus on assisting causes near and dear to Gabriella, including but not limited to her daycare MCNS, speech pathology, New Rochelle Humane Society and more. Gabriella’s memory will live on through our efforts and your support.