What We Do
We are dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children. Our programs and activities focus on historical topics, genealogy, patriotic service, education, and volunteer efforts. Below are lists of ongoing activities for our chapter.
Historic Preservation
- Support the Battleship North Carolina
- Participate annually in the anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge
- Support the development of the United States Colored Troops (USCT) sculpture to honor the achievement of the USCT at the Battle of Forks Road near Wilmington, North Carolina
- Fund a scholarship for the Historic Preservation Construction Certificate at the local community college
- Mark graves of local American Revolutionary War Patriots
- Support the preservation of NSDAR buildings
- Marked the grave of our founding regent during the chapter’s celebration of our 100th anniversary
Our chapter recognized the importance of the USCT contribution at the Civil War Battle of Forks Road by donating to the development of the sculpture “Boundless” by artist Stephen Hayes.
Donated benches for the park adjacent to the Battleship North Carolina and
helped complete other restoration projects onboard the battleship.
Our 100th anniversary celebration included numerous events such as the marking of the gravesite of our founding regent. We were joined in this event by some of her descendants.
Promoting Patriotism
- Sponsor a veteran on the Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and welcomed the veteran home at the airport
- Support of the Sgt. Eugene Ashley Memorial Center, also known as the Ashley Center, which is the local veterans transition center
- Support Wreaths Across America and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony each December
- Observe Veterans Day and participate in a Veterans Day Parade
- Contribute to the Cape Fear Habitat’s Veterans Build
- Participate in the anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge
- Provide blankets, toiletries, and reading material to the Veterans Center
We honor all our Patriots by participating in the local Veterans Day Parade. Before the parade, we serve coffee and donuts to veterans and then we walk in the parade.
We helped Habitat for Humanity build a new house for a veteran family.
The Ashley Center provides transitional housing to veterans in the Wilmington area. We partner with them to provide bedding and other needs. Each Christmas we decorate the house and give gifts to each resident.
Education
- Present Constitution Week programs in elementary schools with members dressed in colonial costumes
- Participate in Bells Across America on September 17 to honor the signing of the U. S. Constitution
- Sponsor American History Essay Contests for students in grade five through eight
- Sponsor Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (JROTC) awards to cadets in high schools
- Sponsor the DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest for high school seniors
- Support Kate Duncan Smith (KDS) DAR School and the other schools supported by DAR, including Crossnore Communities for Children, which is located in North Carolina
- Award scholarships to students at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) and Brunswick Community College
- Donate books to the Brunswick Literacy Council as holiday presents for children
Our chapter holds a public event in downtown Wilmington each year on September 17 to educate the public on the U.S. Constitution. Activities might include bell ringing, handing out U.S. Constitution pamphlets, and participating in public ceremonies.
The chapter supports local children by donating books to the Brunswick Literacy Foundation.
Students from across the area participated in the DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest.