DAR Gathers to Celebrate Service
Members of the Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will gather in January to celebrate the founding of the chapter 127 years ago and to look back on the achievements of 2022.
The chapter held a belated 125th Anniversary Celebration in June. A donation of $300 was made to help provide service dogs for veterans and a DAR Community Service Award was presented to long-time Somerset County 4-H staff member and volunteer Barbara Navatto of Somerville.
New chapter officers were elected: Regent Ashley Salsano, from Washington, N.J.; Vice Regent Marti Kalko and Librarian Susan Dobrinsky, both of Green Brook; Chaplain Karen Miller and Historian Lynda Pasko, both of Dunellen; Recording Secretary Holly Dunbar and Registrar Ruth Ryno, both of North Plainfield; Corresponding Secretary Catherine Niemeyer of Warren; and Treasurer Barbara Pollison-Beck of North Brunswick.
Three members received state appointments. Holly Dunbar was named state chairman of the American Indians committee and liaison to the 4-H Youth Development Program; Ruth Ryno was appointed state chairman of Chapter Development & Revitalization and liaison to the Sons of the American Revolution; and Barbara Pollison-Beck was named state chairman of the State Scholarships committee.
At the Autumn Meeting of the State Society, the chapter received state and national awards and members were recognized for their committee work, including Ruth Ryno and Beth Scheiderman of Green Brook, who was recognized by the Community Classroom committee. The annual DAR Day of Service was observed with two projects, holiday gifts were collected for the veterans at Lyons V.A. Medical Center, and pet food and supplies worth an estimated $300 were donated to the Plainfield Area Humane Society Shelter.
At the request of the chapter, Middlesex County issued a Proclamation designating November as Native American Heritage Month, and two members represented the chapter at New Jersey Sunday at Valley Forge. To close out the year, the chapter participated in Wreaths Across America and collected approximately 200 holiday cards for hospitalized veterans at the Somerset County 4-H Holiday Craft Fair.
As a crowning achievement, the chapter was awarded Lantern Chapter status from the National Society, for “spreading the light of DAR” by helping to grow the organization.
The DAR is a nonprofit service organization open to women 18 and over who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Founded in 1896, Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter is based in Green Brook and serves areas of Somerset, Middlesex and Union counties. New members are welcome. Contact ESCchapterDAR@gmail.com or visit DAR.org.
