Grinnell DAR boxes up gifts for veterans

GRINNELL — Each year on or around Oct. 11 members of the Daughters of the American Revolution perform service projects in their communities to honor the anniversary of the founding of DAR in 1890.

The Grinnell Chapter DAR put together eleven shoeboxes for homeless veterans during its Oct. 11 meeting. The shoeboxes are intended to be holiday gifts and included items such as snack crackers and bars, candy, microwavable mac and cheese bowls, playing cards, calendars, crosswords, Sudoku, notepaper, find-a-word puzzles, color books and color pencils.

Grinnell Chapter put together 11 boxes out of 50 boxes planned for the holiday. Regent Linda Hatch delivered the boxes to Jeanne McMillan, DAR State Chair of the Service for Veterans Committee.

The Des Moines Veterans Affairs Community Resource and Referral Center will distribute the shoeboxes Dec. 4.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join.

The Grinnell Chapter is named after Josiah B. Grinnell, the founder of the city of Grinnell. Members come from Grinnell, Newton, Montezuma and surrounding communities.

For information about membership in DAR, contact Nancy Bender, registrar, at 641-236-7065.