Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by the Joanne Colón. The Pelham Examiner publishes announcements in the form received as a service to the community.
On September 14, the Pelham Girl Scouts, in collaboration with Rise Against Hunger, hosted a remarkable volunteer service project with Huguenot Memorial Church at its epicenter. Spearheaded by Liselle Sakhrani, Pelham Girl Scouts Service Unit Leader for Troop #2834, with promotion by Girl Scout Heart of the Hudson’s Pelham Service Unit Manager, Stephanie Otero, this initiative brought together over 100 participants who packed an astounding 15,342 meal pouches. The success of the event was bolstered by swift community support when additional resources were needed, showcasing the Pelham community’s collaborative spirit.
Key contributors to the local non-profits fair that launched the event, included The Danny Fund (Kathy Potacki), Huguenot Church Mission Services, The Sharing Shelf (Kathryn Ellis), 914CARES (Lisa Horten), HOPE Community Services (Lisa Burton), Pelham Special Education PTA (SEPTA) (Jackie Malek and Amanda Paolercio), Maria Fareri Hospital (Gabrielle Grimaldi Bellettieri), Junior League of Pelham (Erica Winter), Pelham Senior Center (Sandra Panicker), Pelham Art Center (Bridget Bettke), Pelham Education Foundation (Sarah McKee), Pelham Civics, Pelham Together, and Pelham Public Library. Sponsors, Tyler Garrow of Meridian Risk Management and Maurice Owen-Michaane of Capital Realty, also provided vital support. Lead Pastor, Rev. Paul Seelman of Huguenot Memorial Church, known for its civic engagement, provided the perfect venue, reinforcing its commitment to community initiatives.
Rise Against Hunger, arrived with full force led by Matt Blumberg and his teenage children, Elise and Wilson. With a million meals as the eventual goal, Pelham’s 15,342 pouches added to the 700,000+ that the organization has already fulfilled. The event’s impact extended beyond the immediate goal of addressing global hunger. It offered high school and middle school scouts a chance to explore service opportunities and familiarize themselves with local non-profit programming. One 9th-grade scout from Sakhrani’s troop, Emili Sokoli, showcased her Silver Award project—a significant milestone for Girl Scouts, as it requires them to create a lasting impact on their community. Her project, “The Future of Our Planet Pledge,” focused on encouraging individual actions to reduce environmental impact, leaving a meaningful mark on her community’s approach to sustainability.
A notable moment came when the volunteer sign-up exceeded expectations, and Jade-Snow Joachim, a dedicated volunteer, took proactive measures to secure additional tables for the assembly process. Community members were quick to respond, lending more than 30 tables which ensured the seamless continuation of the event and further demonstrated the community’s commitment to the cause. Julio Campo and family volunteered their time and efforts as Campo carried the majority of the 30lb grain bags to refill bins, keeping the production line moving – as they grooved to Julie Sakhrani’s playlist. Shout out to Dave Sparano who heightened the fun with a repurposed balloon arch in Pelham colors.
This initiative not only met an immediate need but also aligned with the Girl Scouts’ Girl-Led model, empowering participants through exposure to non-profits and encouraging deeper engagement with social issues. Barbara Nitzberg, Community Engagement Specialist at Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, attended, highlighting the event’s significance in fostering community and promoting action.
Guided by Sakhrani’s vision and leadership, this event exemplifies how collaboration, dedication, and teamwork can drive meaningful change in the fight against global hunger. Known for organizing large-scale community efforts, every event led by Sakhrani grows in impact and becomes an annual tradition for Pelham Girl Scouts, each year striving to build on the last and inspire even greater participation.
