Written by: Jennifer Pond, National Chair, Service to America Committee, Pamela Wright, National Chair, America250! Committee and Peggy Scully, National Chair, Commemorative Events Committee
Service is at the heart of our DAR mission and our efforts to promote Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism are especially meaningful this year as we celebrate America’s semi-quincentennial. At Continental Congress this past June, Mrs. Storage introduced a new initiative, “DAR Month of Service” which builds upon our DAR Day of Service, observed annually on October 11th to commemorate the founding of our National Society. This new initiative encourages members across the country and overseas to make a difference in their communities and honor the service of our Patriot ancestors.
This DAR Month of Service will begin on September 11, 2026, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, to honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks on that date in New York, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, PA. DAR is proud to be a founding member of the 9/11 Day National Commemoration Committee (9/11 Day) and is a collaborative partner in its federally recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance “to turn a day of tragedy” into a day of community service.
Click here for a brief video detailing the work of 9/11 Day! Be sure to visit the 9/11 Day website to explore what service opportunities are available in your area.
For the remainder of the “DAR Month of Service” leading up to the 11th annual DAR Day of Service on October 11, 2026, we encourage all members, regardless of location, to participate in service projects in the spirit of America250! and share how they are making a difference in their communities. A media toolkit including more service ideas, a sample press release, and ways to promote your service project to family, friends and neighbors will be released later in August. Select national opportunities are listed below:
- 9/11 Day – Meal packing activities occurring country-wide on September 11, 2026
- Blue Star Families – Blue Star Family Welcome Week – September 26 through October 4, 2026
- Constitution Week – September 17-23, 2026 – Explore the Constitution Week Committee webpage for ideas.
- America Gives – DAR is a founding partner of this initiative of the Semi quincentennial Commission which lists opportunities to provide service.
- American Ancestors/10 Million Names – From library-based activities to digitization and transcription projects, the time volunteers contribute helps American Ancestors to educate, inspire, and connect people through family history.
- National Parks Service/National Archives– Citizen Archivists are needed to transcribe Revolutionary War Documents.
- Feeding America – Find a local food bank to volunteer your time with or donate to.
- American Red Cross – Volunteer or donate blood to help save lives around the country.
- Little Free Library – Work to encourage literacy and book donation across the country.
These are just a few of the many opportunities available in your community with many different levels of involvement depending on your chapters’ resources. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your own service projects and please reach out to local organizations that you may have existing relationships with. Already have service projects planned for this time period? Please feel free to count your project toward the Month of Service initiative!
At the conclusion of the DAR Month of Service, we ask every Daughter to enter her service hours in the Service to America counter by October 19, 2026, and submit your service story and relevant photos to the form here for potential inclusion on the National Society website and social media channels.
More information can be found on the America250! , Commemorative Events and Service to America committee pages on dar.org and the Daughters Online Community. We look forward to commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with 9/11 Day and continuing to Celebrate America250! through Service throughout our Month of Service! Thank you for your support.