The Barrington, Ill.-based Signal Hill Daughters of the Revolution Chapter celebrated 50 years of community service at a luncheon for members, family and friends at Makray Memorial Golf Club on Sunday September 11, 2022. With the theme, The Stars of Signal Hill, the anniversary program included an original video and multimedia slideshow highlighting the members and achievements of the Section during its first half-century.
DAR dignitaries in attendance included Illinois State Vice Regent Kimberly Nagy, three honorary state regents, Sharla Luken, Gloria Flathom and Luanne Brickner, and District IV Director Susan Snow.
The Signal Hill Chapter held an organizational meeting on April 15, 1972, and its first officer installation on June 2, 1972, with 23 founding members, three of whom are still active members of the chapter. The chapter name “Signal Hill” was suggested by the Barrington Historical Society to honor the highest point of land overlooking Honey Lake in North Barrington where native tribes in the area once sent signals.
As a chapter of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), the Signal Hill Chapter has always raised funds and contributed financially to other non-profit organizations with distinct missions of historic preservation, education , patriotism, conservation and Native American issues. . During its early years, the new chapter raised funds to donate genealogy and history books to the Barrington Area Library and the Barrington Historical Society; donated American flags to local groups; and contributed to other nonprofit organizations, a tradition that continues today.
In 2022, for example, the Signal Hill Chapter delivered thank you baskets to first responders, donated funds to the Bess Bower Dunn Museum to help restore historic records, and co-sponsored programs open to the public at the library of the Barrington area on historical matters. The chapter purchased a gaming table for active military reservists to enjoy during their off hours and hosted “Wreaths Across America” at Evergreen Cemetery in Barrington, honoring over 700 U.S. military veterans.
In addition, annual service projects provide support to deployed troops, bring joy to hospitalized children, provide needed items to homeless and at-risk veterans, stock snacks and school supplies for an underserved local school, and participate in local conservation initiatives. The chapter also holds an annual story-writing contest for grades five through eight and awards a DAR Good Citizens Scholarship to a local high school student.
Signal Hill Chapter Regent Joyce Wright summed up the chapter’s accomplishments saying, “Over the past decade, Signal Hill Chapter has donated over $100,000 to charities. Our 150 members, who descend from nearly of two hundred Patriots, continue to make the Signal Hill Chapter the vibrant organization it is today.We are well positioned for the next 50 years of service to our community.
NSDAR is a voluntary women’s service organization headquartered in Washington, DC. It offers more than $1.5 million in scholarships each year and is the largest group of participants in support of Wreaths Across America. Through its various programs and initiatives, NSDAR strives to bring greater awareness to the men and women who achieved American independence, including those of diverse backgrounds.
Since its founding in 1890, more than one million women have joined nationally and globally. NSDAR membership is open to any woman 18 years of age or older who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution.
For more information on the Barrington, IL-based chapter, visit: https://signalhilldar.com.
Comments are closed.