Toni Bolling Lutter
In keeping with national, state and chapter objectives, Gila Butte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), has devoted itself to two committees: Conservation and Service for Veterans. Chapter projects complement the current State Regent’s projects by supporting innovative programs targeting companion animals and the vets who love them.
Beginning with “Veterinarians for Veterans,” the State DAR funded a $10,000 Arizona Humane Society pilot program designed to maintain the health of veterans’ pets. Often, a companion animal is the main emotional support for a veteran, and just as often, the vet is unable to keep that pet in good health. With this in mind, a second state project was also established. Called “Pets for Vets,” it seeks to pair veterans with rescue animals.
Gila Butte Chapter has joined the Arizona DAR through involvement in local projects. Working with Sun Lakes’ “Pads 4 Paws,” DAR volunteers sew mats for pets. Using donated scrap materials, “Pads” sews hundreds of various types of mats and donates them where needed. Some pads have gone to Rover’s Rest Stop, a local shelter which seeks to rehabilitate and train rescue pets for transition to new owners. Last year at Arizona Veterans StandDown, the mats were distributed to homeless vets. One of those homeless vets requested several additional mats for use under his sleeping bag, which may attest to the quality of the work.
Companion animals remind us of the responsibility to nurture and preserve all life, which is a focus of the DAR Conservation Committee; and we can never do enough for our veterans. Where the two needs converge, DAR will be there.
Gila Butte DAR meets in Sun Lakes and urges all eligible women to join in serving America through the wide variety of programs supporting historic preservation, education and patriotism. Eligible women trace their bloodline lineage to a Patriot of the American Revolution; “Patriot” refers to a person who supported the Revolution through the military or through some form of patriotic service. For membership information, call 480-802-6993 or go to the chapter website, gilabutte.arizonadar.org.