This year, the Juniors of the New York City Chapter held a "Sip and Serve" on the Saturday before Veterans Day. Junior ladies enjoyed mimosas at home, while making blankets, toys, and collars to donate to Paws of War ahead of the holidays. The chapter at large was also invited to participate during our Veterans Day meeting. For each donation, a lady either purchased a craft kit to assemble or had their kit sponsored by a friend or family member. Some of our members were sponsored for multiple kits!
Paws of War is a service organization based in Long Island that trains and places service dogs with veterans impacted by PTSD or traumatic brain injuries. They also reunite veterans with both dogs and cats that they befriended while serving abroad, locating and bringing their companions to the US. Juniors chose this project because they felt it was a meaningful way for our girls to have a tangible impact, while also having fun. The New York City Chapter had a lot to celebrate at the first virtual Continental Congress this year. We had a such a high number of number member participation, pages, and awards galore! One award, a Non-Fiction essay by Chapter Historian Susan Olsen on early New York City Chapter member Daisy Allen Story, won the National award. Story, in her quest to become President General, went on an incredible journey to acknowledge Women's Suffrage in the 1910's. But we don't want to spoil the ending! If you would like to read Susan's award-winning essay and learn more about this incredible New York City daughter, and you REALLY should, please click the button below to open it up in a new tab. Congratulations again to Susan Olsen and happy reading! Pictured; Attendees of the George & Martha Anniversary Luncheon at the Colony Club in Manhattan. Center; Ruth Hunt; New York City Chapter Chaplain, Denise Doring Van Buren; President General, Elyse Richardson; New York City Chapter Regent, Patrice Powley Birner; New York State Regent, Jacey Powers; New York City Chapter First Vice Regent. On January 11th, 2020, the New York City chapter hosted the annual luncheon celebrating the 261st Anniversary of George and Martha Washington's Wedding Day, who were married at Martha's family home on January 6, 1759. Chapter members and daughters from all over the state of New York gathered at The Colony Club on Park Avenue in Manhattan for a reception and lunch.
Our guest of honor was Denise Doring Van Buren, President General, who gave a moving speech on the lives and impact of a number of suffragettes, for which the event was themed. Mrs. Van Buren finished her speech with the story of Martha Washington's life, the love story of Martha and George, and her impact on the revolution. Patrice Powley Birner, New York State Regent, was in attendance, her first official visit as State Regent. The event was decorated with colors of the Suffragettes, white, gold, and purple, as we continue to celebrate the centennial of the passing of the 19th Amendments. Daughters and guests were also encouraged to wear purple shoes in honor of Martha, who donned purple silk shoes on her wedding day. A big thank you to everyone in attendance. If you missed this event, but are interested in joining us at another event, please take a look at our events page. New York City, NSDAR Juniors spent an enjoyable morning sprucing up the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum gardens. This historic farmhouse museum in northern Manhattan provides the community with educational programming focused on revolutionary and local history, STEM subjects and natural science. NYC DAR juniors are proud to support the museum's conservation and educational efforts. The New York City Chapter's annual luncheon commemorating the anniversary of George & Martha Washington was held January 26th at the Colony Club, the first social club established in New York City by and for women.
Chapter Daughters were delighted to host Valerie Tripp, the award winning author of many of the beloved American Girl books. The New York City Chapter was honored to present Ms. Tripp with the DAR Women in the Arts Recognition Award. Members from the Luncheon Committee crafted unique purple hued (in honor of Martha Washington's wedding day shoes) outfits for six American Girl dolls that were part of a silent-auction. A donation was made to the Mount Kisco Library in Mount Kisco, NY from the proceeds. Our juniors spent a lovely July Saturday morning gardening at the Dyckman House, the oldest farmhouse in Manhattan. Restored in 2003, the Dutch Colonial style farmhouse replaces the original 18th century property that was destroyed during the Revolutionary War while the Dyckman family moved temporarily upstate. Volunteers cleared the front walkway of rambunctious weeds, straightened the edging, trimmed the grass, and built a fence to keep local cats from mistaking a new garden bed for their sandbox. Continuing their Service to America, chapter juniors volunteered at the Bowery Mission on September 9th. Volunteers assisted with the weekend breakfast service, a core part of the organization’s offering. The Bowery Mission, one of the oldest organizations in New York City ministering to the homeless and hungry since 1879, is a longstanding provider of hope and purpose to those in need. New York City Juniors are very proud to continue the DAR tradition of service in support of God, Home, and Country, and look forward to continuing to Move Forward in Service to America. The New York City Chapter's Annual Spring Benefit was enjoyed by all who attend the event at the Abigail Adams Smith Auditorium on April 26. The evening's activities included an inspiring talk by keynote speaker Ms. Wilhelmena Kelly, New York State Vice Regent, American Indian inspired refreshments, and a popular silent auction and voices prizes.
Funds raised benefited the DAR American Indian Schools. Initiatives at both Bacone College and Chemawa School were identified to benefit. NYC Chapter daughters were honored to attend the New York State Conference in Tarrytown this September. The annual New York State DAR (NYSDAR) conference brings together members from around New York State to exchange ideas and celebrate accomplishments from the past year.
The New York City chapter received awards for Chapter Achievement and their participation in Community Classroom, C.A.R., and more. New York City Junior Members were honored to participate in the morning service at the Bowery Mission in Lower Manhattan. Members helped with food preparation and served attendees a hot breakfast meal. The Bowery Mission is one of the oldest service organizations in New York, founded in 1897, whose goal is to be the most effective provider of compassionate care and life transformation for hurting people in New York City. Chapter juniors regularly participate in service activities around the New York City area and are proud to lend their time and talents in Service to America. Delegates and pages from the New York City Chapter were delighted to represent the chapter at the 126th Continental Congress in Washington, D.C. over the last weekend in June. Daughters enjoyed hearing about the efforts of chapters across the country and world to promote DAR initiatives around historic preservation, education and patriotism. The service efforts of the this almost 200,000 member strong international organization are truly inspiring. New York City Daughters also attended the annual New York State luncheon as well as received recognition at the national level for chapter efforts over last year.
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