The Appleton Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) has proudly served Appleton and surrounding communities for over 100 years as a non-profit organization dedicated to local history, patriotism, and education.
About the Appleton Chapter
Our dynamic chapter has over 70 members, including Junior members (35 or younger), representing several generations from across the Fox Valley. If you live in the Fox Valley and believe you have an ancestor who served in the American Revolutionary War, we encourage you to explore membership; volunteer genealogists can assist with applications.
About the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
Founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the DAR is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization focused on historic preservation, education, and patriotism. With nearly 190,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the most inclusive genealogical societies. Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal descent from a Revolutionary War patriot is eligible for membership. Nationally, DAR members contribute millions of volunteer hours, supporting military personnel, veterans, awarding scholarships, and aiding schools for underserved children.
DAR’s Commitment to Military and Veterans
The DAR has a deep and long-standing tradition of supporting military personnel and veterans, both historically and in ongoing efforts.
Comprehensive Support
At the national level, DAR supports active-duty military, National Guard, Reservists, and their families, including those receiving treatment at various medical centers. Individual members and local chapters send care packages and provide essential items to service members abroad.
Key Contributions and Programs
Historically, the DAR Hospital Corps certified nurses for the Spanish-American War and later funded their pensions. Today, DAR members volunteer over 200,000 hours annually at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals and other facilities, and the National Society DAR participates in the VAVS National Advisory Board.
The DAR is a founding partner of the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress, preserving war veterans’ stories. They engage youth volunteers in veteran projects, from creating greeting cards to assisting at facilities.
Specific programs include:
- Homeless Veterans and Operation Stand Down: Providing “buddy bags” with food and personal care items, distributing food to shelters, and offering support at “Operation Stand Down” events.
- Vivian’s Outreach to Women (VOW): Supporting homeless and indigent women veterans through awards to organizations that help with medical care, housing, and other needs for self-sufficiency.
- Salute to Hospitalized Veterans: Organizing greeting card drives and special visits for hospitalized veterans.
- Holidays & Special Events: Planning celebrations for hospitalized veterans and assisting with community patriotic events.
- Supporting Women Veterans: Providing special aid to sick, homeless, and lonely women veterans, including donations and maternity support.
- Military Women’s Memorial: Collaborating on the “Tell Her Story” initiative to record women veterans’ experiences.
- Fisher House: Supporting “homes away from home” for families of sick or injured military members and veterans near medical centers.
- Thank You Cards & Home Support: Distributing thank you cards to veterans and encouraging home volunteers to create handmade items and collect gifts for delivery to facilities.
Connect with them directly at: https://appletondar.org/
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