Toni Bolling Lutter

At the first meeting of the season, Gila Butte Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) distributed and displayed State awards received in Scottsdale and National awards received in Washington, D.C. The chapter received a Level One Chapter Achievement Award from the National Society; since its organization in 2002, the chapter has always received a Level One Award.

DAR does its principal work through a committee system. There are currently 45 national committees, and each addresses an aspect of the Society’s mission of Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. Four awards for public relations and media were presented, including one for Gila Butte Chapter’s membership flyer. Membership Committee commended Gila Butte Chapter for exceeding its new-member goal.

The chapter took top state honors for Constitution Week Committee, in recognition of its commitment to encourage study and educate the public about the Constitution. Literacy Promotion Committee also received the top Arizona DAR award for its distribution of books to schools and libraries, and for supporting literacy in the community.

Also received were awards from American Heritage Committee; Service for Veterans Committee; and Lineage Research Committee. American History Committee awards recognized the chapter’s work with a Native American school in Arizona; the school’s seventh and eighth graders all submitted American History essays on the topic of “A Colonial Family’s Reaction to the Stamp Act.”

Gila Butte DAR meets in Sun Lakes, and welcomes membership inquiries. Women over 18 who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution are invited to call 480-802-6993 for information or go to the chapter website gilabutte.arizonadar.org.