Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Members Nationwide Log More Than 500,000 Total Volunteer Community Service Hours in Annual Service Initiative

In honor of America 250 and the 25^th anniversary of 9/11, DAR lengthened its annual DAR Day of Service to a full Month of Service during this milestone year

DAR community service projects between September 11 and October 11 included work at local historic sites, cemeteries and food pantries, and supporting first responders, veterans, and active-duty military members

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) expanded its annual DAR Day of Service to a full Month of Service this year to mark the 250^th anniversary of the United States as well as 25 years since 9/11. The patriotic women's organization inaugurated an Annual Day of Service on Oct. 11, 2015, to commemorate the organization's founding on that date in 1890. This year, as a founding member of the 9/11 Day National Commemoration Committee, DAR expanded its service initiative to encompass a full month to mark the momentous 2026 year.

In the recent one-month period ending Oct. 11, thousands of DAR members nationwide logged over 587,000 hours of community service in wide ranging projects, a true testimony to the zeal with which members give back locally to improve communities and the nation as a whole and honor their Patriots.

Furthermore since 2022, DAR has awarded 2,081 America 250! Community Celebration Grants for a total of $1.1 million dollars; coupled with chapter financing these grassroot efforts of over $6.2 million have impacted local communities by bringing neighbors together to share stories and ideals that unite us as Americans.

To honor this milestone year, DAR members coast to coast served by:

• Cleaning the headstones of veterans and Revolutionary War Patriots in cemeteries throughout the country. Locations included: the historic Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville, Tenn., the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg, Va., the Whitney Cemetery in Campton Hills, Ill., the East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson, Ariz., and the Downey Cemetery in Downey, Calif. among many others
• Providing breakfast to the South Metro Fire Rescue department headquarters in Centennial, Colo.
• Distributing backpacks filled with necessities for veterans in need and donating baby items and other essentials to the DeBakey VA Women's Health Center in Nacogdoches, Texas
• Creating pocketed fleece wraps to donate to area veterans and charitable organizations in Dyersburg, Tenn.
• Organizing and participating in a 9/11 Commemorative Blood Drive in Anthem, Ariz.
• Preparing food boxes at the local food pantry for neighbors in need in St. Francisville, La.
• Participating in a community park cleanup at Port Tobacco River Park to remove trash and other debris in Port Tobacco, Md.
• Planting, pruning, raking, and other maintenance in the historic gardens of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site in Cambridge, Mass.
• Writing thank you notes to veterans to recognize their service and sacrifice, and preparing for an upcoming Honor Flight in Kamuela, Hawaii 

"I am honored and humbled to stand with our many dedicated members who share DAR's mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism through service," said Ginnie Sebastian Storage, DAR President General. "Especially in this banner year with so many milestones, our Daughters truly rose to the occasion. They are inspired to serve because, at nearly 200,000 strong, we all share a singular goal: to improve our own communities today to honor the spirit of those individuals - our personal ancestors - who contributed to the founding of our country with their extraordinary sacrifice."

See photos from the DAR Month of Service here.

DAR is one of the largest and most well-established patriotic women's service organizations in the country with around 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters nationwide. DAR was a founding partner of America250, the United States Semiquincentennial celebration of the 250th anniversary of America, and an integral part of the America Gives initiative, which highlights the importance of volunteerism and giving back to the country as a way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the nation. 

Other DAR initiatives for America 250 include:

• The American Revolution Experience – a collaboration with American Battlefield Trust for a traveling historical exhibit crisscrossing the country through 2027
• Sponsoring the PBS documentary series The American Revolution
• Hosting a public party at DAR National Headquarters to celebrate America's 250^th birthday
• Saluting American military women past and present with a legendary concert by Patti LaBelle and awarding $650,000 in grants for female veterans
• Hosting a two-day symposium in partnership with the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute (QSSI) called Spain and the Birth of American Democracy
• Placing DAR America 250 Patriot Markers in every state
• Donating a $2 million gift to the Trust for the National Mall's Cherry Tree Endowment
• Donating $1 million to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial Visitor Education Center
• Donating $1 million to the George Washington Foundation to establish the endowed NSDAR Director of Education
• Continuing to expand resources of DAR's E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative which ensures all Patriots are honored

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. One of the largest patriotic women's service organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.  

Bren Landon
202-572-0563
[email protected]

SOURCE Daughters of the American Revolution