Throughout November, Pelham Girl Scouts of all ages participated in honoring local veterans in honor of Veterans Day. These efforts were part of the beloved Pelham Girl Scouts “Thank-A-Vet” program, now in its 15th year! The program was started as part of Kayla Cartelli’s Gold Award project as a way of thanking veterans for their service to our country.

On Saturday, November 2, Lieutenant Colonel Jennifer Mondido, Pelham Girl Scout mom, veteran and volunteer firefighter, drew a crowd of over 80 scouts and parents as she spoke to the girls about her experiences as a military officer in Aviation and Psychological Operations. Then, troops assembled and decorated goody bags for nearly 200 veterans. These included notes of thanks, patriotic pinwheels, a picture frame, an American flag pin and Girl Scout cookies donated by Operation Cookie Drop – Heart of the Hudson. It was an inspiring and terrific community-building event!

Over Veterans Day weekend, Pelham Girl Scouts delivered the goody bags to veterans in Pelham and Pelham Manor with smiles and a chorus of “Thank you for your service!” The bags were received with many messages of thanks and appreciation. One veteran sat outside on his lawn happily awaiting the annual visit from the Girl Scouts!

Senior Girl Scout Troop  2834 has been hand-delivering bags to The Wartburg Home in Mount Vernon for the past several years, and once again brought over 30 bags to veterans who reside there. In an effort to deepen their understanding of  community service for Veterans Day, that same troop spent the weekend in Gettysburg exploring the landscape on which the Civil War was fought.

Pelham Girl Scouts concluded the weekend of honoring veterans by participating in the Town of Pelham’s Veterans Day Ceremony at Memorial Park led by Pelham Post #50 of the American Legion.

Jamie Porco Guglielmo and Diane Lanaro, co-leaders of 4th grade Junior Troop 1661 at Siwanoy Elementary School, have been leading the “Thank-A-Vet” program for the last 3 years. Please email them if you know of a veteran who would enjoy receiving a goodie bag next year: [email protected].

Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham Girl Scouts.