The Rye City Lions Club will honor Laura Pellegrini with the James A. and Marian M. Shea Community Service Award on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Whitby Castle. The Award was established in 2003 to recognize an individual(s) who lives or works in the Rye community and has contributed to enhancing the lives of its citizens by volunteering services of an outstanding nature.
Pellegrini is being recognized for a lifetime of volunteerism including her work with Rye Boy Scout Troop 2, Bread of Life and RyeRelief. Last year another boy scout volunteer, Kelly Jancski, won the award.
“As a mother of four and a dedicated community member, Laura exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism,” said the Rye Lions in a statement. “She has strengthened the fabric of Rye—connecting neighbors, inspiring action, and improving the quality of life for countless residents. Her example shows that one person’s initiative can spark a community-wide movement toward kindness and collective responsibility.”
Pellegrini
Laura Pellegrini’s roots as a volunteer stretch back to childhood. At just seven years old, she began accompanying her parents as they delivered meals and transportation to blind residents, an early example of the compassion and community spirit that would define her life. As a middle school student, Laura joined the Mamaroneck EMS, serving for over 15 years.
Among her many efforts, she helped spearhead a grassroots fundraiser with another local mom to aid wildfire victims in Los Angeles. What began as a modest campaign to send small appliances and pet supplies quickly grew into a major relief effort—raising more than $12,000, far surpassing their initial goal of $1,000. Laura organized logistics to ensure that donations reached affected families through American Legion Posts.
Laura has been an active volunteer with Rye Boy Scout Troop 2, Bread of Life, RyeRelief, a local group coordinating flood recovery efforts, and many others.
Award Dinner
The Rye City Lions Club is honored to recognize Laura Pellegrini with the 2025 James A. and Marian M. Shea Community Service Award. Tickets to the event are $135 per person. If interested in attending, please email ryecitylionsclub10580@gmail.com by November 1. You may mail a check, made payable to the Rye City Lions Club, to: Rye City Lions Club, P.O. Box 354, Rye, NY 10580. The Rye City Lions Club is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
All proceeds from the event support the Rye City Lions Club’s mission to help meet the ever-increasing needs of our society, with a special focus on those who are blind or visually impaired. In the past, the Rye City Lions Club has donated to Guiding Eyes for the Blind; VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Rye Free Reading Room to purchase large print books and books on tape. Additionally, the Club provides financial assistance to the Rye YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program and to Rye Recreation for their summer camp program.
