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Chapter Activities |
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Balcones Chapter efforts center around DAR's mission of promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing education for our children. We have engaged in a variety of projects and activities in our community and offer many opportunities to volunteer centered on these principles. With over 13 chapter committees, there is truly something for everyone! Some of our recent programs and activities include: PATRIOTISMDAR members' love of country is evident in the multitude of patriotic endeavors they pursue. The Balcones Chapter participates annually in the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Texas State Cemetery, Wreaths Across America in December, and the Austin Veteran's Day Parade in November. In December we provide holiday cards to patients and nursing home residents at the VA Hospital in Temple, and in January, we continue to support the VA Hospital in Temple by donating Friendship Bags of food, personal hygiene products, socks, and other items to homeless veterans. Chapter members have interviewed veterans for the Library of Congress Veterans Oral History Project, and we also support active-duty military personnel and their families through various endeavors and projects. PRESERVATIONDAR members participate in an array of projects to help preserve our cultural heritage. Balcones Chapter members participate in cleaning and preserving historic cemeteries and Texas historical markers. EDUCATIONDAR members are passionate about educating the youth of America and contributing to schools and student programs in a variety of ways. The Balcones Chapter sponsors within the Austin area DAR Good Citizen Awards, DAR National Defense ROTC Bronze Medals, and American History essay contests for local students. The Chapter contacts all local high schools to provide applications for chapter, Texas, and nationally sponsored DAR scholarships. Annually, the chapter supports the DAR Native American schools.
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