HUNTLEY – Daughters of the American Revolution, or the DAR, are a national group that will be opening a new chapter in the Huntley area this month.
DAR is responsible for promoting patriotism and preserving American history. According to the DAR website, the members are descended from patriots who fought for and won American independence and now serves to educate children in the history of the American Revolution.
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The organization was founded in 1890 and currently holds its headquarters in Washington D.C. The DAR gives millions of volunteer hours to aiding veterans, active-duty military personnel, and funding financial aid opportunities for students.
With over 177,000 members and about 3,000 chapters not just nationally, but worldwide, DAR is one of the largest non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s organizations in the world. The organization has seen over 930,000 members since being founded, according the DAR website.
A Huntley chapter will be opening due to the popular demand in the Algonquin-Huntley area. There are chapters already set up in Woodstock, Barrington, St. Charles and other surrounding areas. The state contacted Cathy Carlton, the local organizing regent for the DAR in October about the possible local chapter.
“Today’s DAR is not your grandmother’s DAR,” said Carlton. “We have members ranging from ages 18 to 105 who volunteer in schools, communities, and conservation projects. There’s something for everybody.”
A genealogical workshop was held on Dec. 13, 2014 to inform DAR potential members of the organization and their duties. Another workshop was held Jan. 10, 2015 to organize and assist with applications, both were held at the Huntley Area Public Library.
Chapter meetings will be held the third Saturday of every month in Algonquin, starting January 17, 2015.
Any women interested in becoming a charter member of the new Huntley chapter can do so by proving that they have an ancestor who aided in the victory of the U.S. during the American Revolution and by contacting Organizing Regent Cathy Carlton at 815-245-5717.
“I always knew I could join but I was always busy raising a family and all that,” said Carlton. “But after 9/11 happened it helped me decide that I needed to do something to help promote patriotism and be involved in the community.”
For more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution go to www.DAR.org.
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