Members of the Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR are passionate about educating America’s youth and supports a variety of different programs, contests, and awards to help further this goal. Teachers and students are encouraged to explore the available resources at DAR.org and take advantage of the different programs DAR offers
Our chapter enjoys contributing to schools and student programs in a variety of ways, including:
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Contribute to scholarships, grants, and awards to outstanding teachers and students.
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Offering resources that may be helpful in teaching subjects such as the Revolutionary War, colonial period and early America, women’s history, and genealogy.
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Promoting education and citizenship through youth programs such as The Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) and DAR Good Citizens.
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Sponsoring American History essay contests for youth in grades 5 through 8 and high school.
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Stewarding Little Free Libraries in our communities.
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Supporting the DAR Schools through chapter and member donations.
AMERICAN HISTORY CONTESTS
The Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, recognized and presented the “Excellence in American History” certificates to the fourth-grade classes and teachers, at a local elementary school for their outstanding re-enactments of Abraham Lincoln’s famous speeches. These performances were held at the Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. as part of the Lincoln Oratory Festival. It is our hope that the chapter will continue to present these certificates to students who display outstanding work in American History.
The National Society also encourages chapters to honor notable women, especially teachers, in their communities who have contributed to American History, and to work with local schools to have students participate in the American History Essay Contest (Grades 5-8) and the Patriots of the American Revolution High School Essay Contest. Our chapter hopes to inspire students to submit entries in these contests during this next school year.
CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution trains good citizens, develops leaders and promotes love of the United States of America and its heritage among young people.
Our chapter is proud to support the National Society Children of the American Revolution, Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution, our local C.A.R. society. C.A.R.’s mission, projects, and members directly correlate to and are vital to the longevity of DAR itself.
C.A.R. is one of the few organizations where the entire family can participate together! C.A.R. members are the investment in the future for DAR, SAR, and S.R Chapters. Young women are more likely join DAR when they have had a positive C.A.R. experience. One is never too young to participate; all age groups have a fun and meaningful experience. Application forms and instructions are available on the C.A.R. website.
CONTINUING SELF-EDUCATION
Knowledge is power. It is our goal to enlighten all Daughters, so they are engaged in the chapter and community, and empowered to be a leader/role model. The more educated our members and leaders are, the better the chapter can grow as a team while working to support the overarching mission and goals of NSDAR.
The Dr. Elisha Dick chapter encourages members to complete courses to gain knowledge about DAR and themselves. The member course focuses on the history and mission of DAR and what it means to be a Daughter. The Committee Leader course helps people become effective committee members and leaders at the chapter, state and national levels. And the New Horizons course helps aspiring or current DAR leaders build confidence and leadership skills. Several other courses are available and focus on the many facets of genealogical research, including DNA.
To date, our chapter members have completed over 35 of these courses. Huzzah, ladies!
DAR GOOD CITIZEN AWARD
The DAR Good Citizen Award for the Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, was awarded in 2024 to a senior at a local high school. This remarkable student applied for the DAR Good Citizen Scholarship by sitting for a two-hour proctored essay on the topic: “What are the civic responsibilities of a good citizen and why are these duties, activities, and behaviors important to the shaping of the America you hope to experience?” The chapter was thoroughly impressed by our awardee’s essay and character, and presented a $100 prize, red-white-and-blue graduation cords, a certificate, and a pin.
DONATIONS TO DAR SCHOOLS
Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, is happy to support the DAR Schools (one DAR school and four DAR-approved schools) by monetary donations and fulfilling school wish lists.
- Kate Duncan Smith (KDS) DAR School
- Berry College
- Crossnore School and Children’s Home
- Hillside School
- Hindman Settlement School
These schools started in rural and disadvantaged areas where public education was not accessible. The mission of these schools is to provide education to the students in order to help them reach their full potential in life. While each school has a different focus, they serve a variety of special needs programs including adult literacy, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, and children in family crisis. Each school is now owned and operated by a private, non-profit corporation in the state in which it is located.
THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
Dr. Elisha Dick Daughters are encouraged to promote the American flag, wherever and whenever possible. With so many possibilities for education, community activities and methods of communication, the sky is the limit! The positive effects of what people learn from the many fun and respectful flag activities will support all aspects of our mission for years to come.
Our chapter members are proud to show respect for our country’s flag. In 2023, members participated in a flag retirement ceremony, distributed more than 125 flags, and donated 3 flags for retirement, 50 flag codes, flag pins, stickers, table cards to a local restaurant.
One chapter member also serves as the state chair for this committee. With the help of several non-DAR judges, she organizes the state’s essay contest for Virginia 4th graders on the topic “What the American Flag Means to Me.” The entries are delightful, impressive, and inspiring. As in past years, it is hard to pick a winner — they’re all stellar students with a bright future!
LITERACY EFFORTS
At a time when libraries are under threat of being defunded in many parts of the country, and digital media has devalued the printed word, it is gratifying to see the Little Free Library (LFL) movement take off. Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, members donated more than 150 books to literacy programs this year and fundraised to erect its own Little Free Library in memory of a member who passed away in 2023. Our library was dedicated in May 2024 in her hometown, and at the time, was the newest of the more than 150,000 in a nationwide network. The LFL not only promotes the objectives of the DAR, but also is a wonderful way to extend the love of reading to children everywhere.
TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK
Dr. Elisha Dick Chapter, NSDAR, members appreciate the hard work and dedication of teachers throughout the year. However, we made it a point to visit a local school during this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week. Several members gathered to provided finger sandwiches, fruit and vegetable trays, chips, cake, cookies, water, and small tokens of our appreciation for 60 teachers and staff at one of our local schools.
OTHER RESOURCES:
DAR Museum & the Portable Education Program
Forgotten Patriots – often-underrepresented Revolutionary War Patriots, including those who were African American, Native American and female