Donate items for military noon today at Dimitri's

Members of the local Black Eagle-Assinniboine Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be collecting items at noon today at Dimitri's Restaurant, 1919 3rd St. NW.

The DAR Black Eagle-Assinniboine Chapter will collect individually wrapped snacks, magazines, sewing kits and toiletries for military care packages for our recently deployed troops from Malmstrom in honor of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which is being celebrated throughout this year. The DAR, which is comprised of the descendants of the patriots who won American independence, was founded on October 11, 1890, as a service organization to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism.

“Our chapter, which was organized in 1919, carries out the important mission of the national society here on the local level,” said Chapter Regent Leigh Haislip Spencer. “We’re excited to demonstrate the vibrancy and contributions of today’s DAR by serving our local community as Daughters have been doing throughout the nation for 125 years.”

There are currently nearly 180,000 members of the DAR, serving in approximately 3,000 chapters across the nation and in several foreign countries. More than 940,000 women have joined the organization since its founding 125 years ago.

Prospective members are encouraged to visit www.DAR.org to learn more and to contact the local chapter at 406-452-4727 to obtain more information about membership eligibility.

“Interest in membership is at all-time highs due to both the ability to share genealogical information through the Internet and the fact that we offer today’s busy woman a meaningful opportunity to express her love of country and to complete the joyful responsibilities of citizenship,” said National Society DAR President General Lynn Forney Young in a statement.

During the current three-year administration coinciding with the 125th anniversary celebration, the organization has issued a challenge to complete 10 million hours of service to America. DAR members from coast to coast will also participate in the National DAR Day of Service on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. This one day of nationwide service is just an example of the work that Daughters have been completing for 125 years in communities across the nation.

“Here in Great Falls, the Black Eagle-Assinniboine Chapter, for example, serves by recognizing students through the NSDAR Good Citizen scholarship program, the NSDAR American History awards and NSDAR scholarship program for Native American students, participates in patriotic events, and supports veterans throughout the year by participating in a variety of veterans prorams.  We are proud to carry out DAR’s mission to celebrate our American way of life,” said Spencer.  “All women who can document descent from a Revolutionary War Patriot are encouraged to consider the many benefits of joining. We are eager to welcome new members to our chapter, and we have volunteers available to help them research and complete their genealogy in order to apply for membership.”