My Dear California Daughters,
September is now behind us. At our Council meetings, we enjoyed laughing and learning with friends, marched together in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and collected toys and games to share with deployed service men and women. We were touched by the story of Andrew Bottrell, a severely wounded veteran, and his wife as they continue to build a wonderful life together… in a home made possible through the Gary Sinise Foundation R.I.S.E. program, our State Regent’s Project. And, we were inspired by another stirring message from keynote speaker Chaplain LaToya Zavala, LT US NAVY.
Your State Regent joined District XII, in an annual bell ringing event at the Mission San Juan Capistrano (Bells Across America – September 17) organized by the San Clemente Island Chapter, Mary Dahm, Regent. The following Saturday she was with District XIV for their annual Constitution Week luncheon, led by the Letitia Coxe Shelby Chapter, Irene Hobbs, Regent. Both events and the many you organized and attended were in celebration of the United States Constitution. Signed September 17, 1797, it has stood for 232 years as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout our history to maintain our liberties, freedoms, and inalienable rights.
Now October greets us with changes in weather, it is misting outside as this is being written, and anticipation of things to come. California Daughters, in chapters throughout our state, are planning for special ways to celebrate the DAR Day of Service. Though officially identified as October 11, NSDAR Founders Day, your “Day” will be whenever the most of you… in chapter or district… can gather together in October to provide meaningful service to your communities and our country. You will clean beaches and cemeteries; sort clothes for a local “Stand Down” or charitable thrift store. You may find yourself fixing meals at a Fisher House, VA Home, homeless shelter, or delivering to shut-ins. Some may be reading stories to school children or rocking babies at a local hospital. Others will take time to write notes of thanks and encouragement to deployed service men and women and sew more “cool ties” and gaiters to be added with the toys and games being packed into boxes for these deployed. Districts VIII and VI have special days planned for October 12 and 27 that could include anyone nearby with time for service. Contact Penny Adams-O’Neill (VIII-October 12) or Robin Hurwitz (VI-October 27).
T-shirts denoting that CA Daughters are “Serving our Communities” are now available for ordering through the webstore. DIY graphic and mail-in order forms are on the website: Documents and Forms > State Forms and Documents> State Society table. When in service in your community, use this not-so-subtle message to identify yourselves, inviting inquiries regarding our Society and how others might join.
Our President General, through the DAR Project Patriot Committee, is encouraging Daughters to wear red on Friday: R E D – Remember Everyone Deployed. To help, Kris Wood, State Corresponding Secretary, has designed a t-shirt for CSSDAR with the message, printed in white on red t-shirts. The shirts can be ordered through the webstore or using the form found under Documents and Forms > State Forms and Documents> State Society table. Whether in our t-shirt or your own red shirt, do join the “movement.” Show this subtle support for our active military.
This month, October 10th-19th, 40 CA Daughters will embark on a tour of the five DAR Schools/Supported Schools from Kentucky to North Carolina, into South Carolina, through Georgia to Alabama. They will meet for themselves the children we serve and understand the difference this service makes. The tour, organized by CA DAR School Committee Chair Cheryl Odell and Vice Chair Elizabeth Julian, will be an amazing and rewarding experience. Watch social media and check Brooke Stewart’s daily video reports posted on the Clarion, our Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/cssdar ) and our California Daughters’ Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/cssdar/ ) … you, too, can be traveling along! Search for the hashtag #CASunshineBusTour.
And, as this month of dedicated service winds down, look forward to our annual American Heritage Tea, November 2, 2019, in Roseville, CA, Chairs: State Chaplain Barbara McMahon and Susan Brooking. Make your reservations online and plan to join friends in a delightful afternoon of good food and wonderful DAR fellowship!
Through our service and friendships, California Daughters continue to rise and shine and make a difference!
With much love and appreciation,
Adele Lancaster
State Regent
