DAR members are passionate about supporting our veterans and active duty military, and we do so in a variety of ways.
VA Hospitals and non-VA Facilities:
DAR members volunteer their time to provide assistance to veterans in both Veterans Administration hospitals and non-VA facilities and provide more than 200,000 hours of volunteer time to veterans annually.
Veterans History Project:
DAR is proud to be a founding partner of the Veterans History Project of the Library of Congress. The purpose of the project is to collect and preserve oral histories on audio and videotape, letters, diaries, maps, photographs, and home movies of America’s war veterans and those who served in support of them.
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration:
The Vietnam Commemoration has over 10,600 Commemorative Partners all across the United States and its territories. Nearly 2,000 partners are DAR chapters, 51 State Societies, and the National Society. The DAR is the Vietnam Commemoration’s largest and strongest Commemorative Partner with chapters joining every day. Commemorative Partners serve as a representative of a grateful nation as we thank and honor a Vietnam veteran or family member. We are, in many ways, turning back the pages of history and righting a wrong for some of these veterans and families by simply saying “thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Youth Volunteers:
DAR works with youth volunteers on veterans’ projects in local communities. Younger children make greeting cards, make tray favors, visit nursing homes, march in parades, and help stuff ditty bags for stand downs. Older children volunteer at facilities, visit with and play games with veterans, help with craft/rehab activities, run errands for veterans, deliver meals, assist in veteran services offices on campus, deliver mail, and help decorate for the holidays.
Homeless Veterans and Operation Stand Down:
DAR members serve homeless veterans by providing buddy bags containing nonperishable food items and personal care items. Volunteers collect, distribute, and deliver food to community shelters. During Operation Stand Down, DAR volunteers serve meals, distribute clothing, work at information tables, help with medical and social screenings, and provide companionship to homeless veterans.
Holidays and Special Events:
DAR members plan celebrations for hospitalized veterans to commemorate national holidays, special events, and veterans’ birthdays. Parties, carnivals, and picnics for veteran patients are organized to help lift spirits and provide diversions during hospital confinement. DAR members also serve on community veterans’ committees that sponsor parades and other patriotic events. Volunteers assist with military ceremonies of remembrance that are held at local VA facilities.
Women Veterans:
DAR volunteers give special support to our nation’s women veterans, with an emphasis on the sick, the homeless, and the lonely. Chapters provide support and volunteer in special healthcare programs and the Adopt-A-Veteran Program. Clothing is collected and donated to facilities for women veterans, as well as donations of gender-appropriate gifts and personal care items. Members provide support for maternity services for female veterans with gift baskets for the new baby and mother.
Fisher House:
Fisher Houses are “homes away from home” for the families of sick or injured military members and veterans. They are built by the Fisher House Foundation on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The family of a veteran can stay in a Fisher House for a nominal charge (some have no charge) and be near the veteran while he or she convalesces. Fisher Houses need volunteers as well as financial support. This is truly a program where members envelop the veterans and their families in the circles of friendship, service, and commitment.
Thank You Cards for Our Veterans:
DAR members distribute thank you cards to veterans during visits to VA facilities, shelters, and state facilities. Veterans displaying veteran stickers on their cars or wearing caps noting their service are thanked as well. DAR members find any occasion to thank our veterans for the tremendous sacrifice they have made for our freedom.
Supporting Veterans from Home:
Home volunteers sew items needed by facilities, including wheelchair bags, trachea bags, bibs, lap robes, and tote bags. Volunteers are urged to contact their local facility to inquire about what is needed and to obtain patterns and/or the dimensions for these handmade items. Party favors and tray favors are created and assembled by home volunteers. Personal care items, magazines, games, puzzles, and other gifts are collected by home volunteers for delivery to facilities. DAR home volunteers prepare handwritten cards and notes that are sent to facilities and distributed to veterans.