John Hoyle Chapter Serves Austin Adult Care

Members of the local John Hoyle Chapter served the residents of Austin Adult Care in Conover by providing an afternoon of entertainment and service.  Members provided a movie viewing with refreshments, as well as visiting with and reading to individual residents.  Each resident was given a gift bag of personal care items, and members donated more than 250 books, 80 DVDs and VHS movies a VHS player and rewinder, as well as more than 50 magazines and puzzles.

During the current three-year administration coinciding with the 125th-anniversary celebration, the national organization has issued a challenge to complete 10 million hours of service to America.

New John Hoyle DAR Ceremonial Wreath

New John Hoyle Chapter Regent Betty Schwartz received a new wreath donated by member Eleanor Herbert for use in Grave Marking Ceremonies.  Regent Schwartz wants the Chapter to become more frequently represented at other Chapters' observances and is appointing a special committee composed of John Hoyle members who will to act on behalf of our Chapter.  Practice your curtsies, ladies.

John Hoyle Chapter Assists in Stand Down

HICKORY—The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has partnered with The United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, established by Congress, to “thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW) or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.” The John Hoyle Chapter in Hickory was involved at the recent fourth annual Foothills Veterans’ Stand Down event at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. Asked by Vietnam veteran RickVandett to provide cookies for all the helpers at the Stand Down, the members of the John Hoyle Chapter not only baked the requested cookies, but also provided gift bags for all veterans and especially honored the Vietnam vets by flying a flag commemorating the war’s 50^th anniversary and presenting each veteran with a special Vietnam service button and a very vocal “welcome home!” At the end of the Foothills Stand Down, the DAR Chapter had given out 85 Vietnam War commemorative pins to Vietnam veterans and a total of 144 gift bags to those veterans and veterans of other wars.” Many of the veterans we spoke to were visibly moved by our honoring them,” said Betty Schwartz, chairman of the chapter’s participation in the event. “It was truly a feel good day for all of us.” 

May 22, 2015 -  Hickory Daily Record

John Hoyle Chapter Historian's Project

For the past three years, the John Hoyle Chapter has provided history-themed books to the Catawba Co. Department of Social Services for children who qualify for their backpack program.  The backpack program sends food home for the weekend with students who are in poverty or who have  unstable support systems at home.  Many have no reading material at all in their homes, and our objective is to give them one book that could be theirs to read or look at over the summer.  The books chosen tie in with JCDAR's mission of promoting American history to students; however, there is a limited number of American history books published for elementary school children, so some of the books reflect world history or historical events that have impacted everyone.

The books were purchased at Ollie's or through First Book, an on-line book marketplace that serves children from low-income families, in addition to others.  Many schools and non-profit organizations use First Book, and because JHCDAR is also a non-profit organization, our chapter was able to qualify for substantial discounts.

John Hoyle Chapter supports students at Longview Elementary and Southwest Elementary, and 120 shiny new books appropriate for grade levels K-1, 2-5, and 6-8 will be delivered to our contact Amanda Freeland, Backpack Program Coordinator/Social Worker III, Prevention Unit, Catawba County Social Services in May.

Shop and Swap

February was an especially noteworthy luncheon meeting for John Hoyle Chapter DAR members.  Two very important events occurred: presentation of our Community Service Award to Sally Fox, former Hickory Councilwoman and long-time community advocate and the recognition of the winners of our American History Essay contest.  The meeting was topped off with a "Shop and Swap" opportunity for Chapter members, thought up by our very creative Regent Gina Abernethy.  Anyone who donated an unneeded item could then swap for a different object that they desired. Tickets were issued, and each member could shop for as many items as they contributed.  Items left over will be donated to Crossnore School or to a veterans' group.  The event was a win-win for everyone and fun, too.  Thanks, Gina.

Good Morning Daughters,

I want to make you aware of a way to support Crossnore School, and even the DAR at the national level, whenever you make purchases on Amazon.com. 

Started in 2013, Smile.Amazon is Amazon with the same products and prices, and uses the same information you have already used to set up your Amazon account.  However, when you make purchases on Smile.Amazon, Amazon will contribute .5% of your purchase to the charity you name.  I have personally been doing this since 2013, but recently found out through the DAR magazine, American Spirit, that each DAR school is in the program.  This is a wonderful way to support DAR. Crossnore School receives a check each quarter from Amazon based on purchases.

The sign-up is easy.  Go to www.smile.amazon.com and follow the instructions to set up your account and choose your charity. 

I hope those of you that use Amazon will make the change and support our DAR schools.

Have a wonderful day.

Luana Wright

Corresponding Secretary