DAR celebrates service singing God Bless America.
September begins the 15th year of service for Gila Butte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 2002, Organizing Regent Mary Wolf and 22 dedicated women organized the chapter. Today, Gila Butte has 125 members from around the Valley and the nation, all dedicated to serving “God, Home and Country.”
Gila Butte begins its season with many 2017 state and national honors. The chapter’s Constitution Week Committee, chaired by Carolyn Hawkins, garnered first place state and national for its service to local schools and to seniors in the community. The committee is already at work planning for Constitution Day in September.
The chapter’s DAR Scholarship Committee received high marks for its work in providing scholarships to deserving students. In 2017, four local women were awarded $1,000 each to assist them with their first year of college and university tuition. Junior American Citizens contestants sponsored by Gila Butte received two second-place national awards for poetry and one first-place national award for an eighth-grader’s photo essay.
Service for Veterans Committee, chaired by Carole Jones, received an award for Outstanding Service to our vets. Chaired by Barbara Grimes, Children of the American Revolution Committee (C.A.R.) received an award for Outstanding Support.
Gila Butte also received top honors for Commemorative Events Committee as well as Public Relations and Media, with Toni Lutter as chair for both. Commemorative Events Committee took the Award for Excellence, and Public Relations and Media received the Arizona award for the Chapter with Most Extensive Print and Media Coverage.
Eligible women interested in DAR service to their community and their nation are urged to call 480-802-6993 for membership information, or go to the chapter website, gilabutte.arizonadar.org. Genealogical assistance is available.