Chapter Activities and Projects

Cahuilla Chapter, NSDAR, has a tradition of recognizing and rewarding individuals with Daughters of the American Revolution’s various awards.  Each year at least one person in our Coachella Valley or High Desert communities is given the Community Service Award which recognizes worthy individuals for unpaid volunteer achievements in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, citizenship, or environmental conservation endeavors.  Our chapter has also given DAR Conservation Medals and the DAR Medal of Honor, which is one of the highest medals the DAR bestows.

Education is a key DAR tenet, and we work with middle and high school students to encourage the study of our nation’s history and knowledge of the U.S. Constitution.  Essay contests with approved topics by the DAR are conducted annually and require students to research our country’s history.  We hold a Student Awards Tea each spring, which honors both essay winners and participants.  In addition, we present medals and awards to local Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, and a junior college student nurse award is also given.

Each year we recognize and highlight an area teacher with an Outstanding Teacher of American History Award.  This presentation is given at the last meeting of the year and coordinates with a program showcasing the student winners of the essay contests.

We honor veterans and military personnel by donating food and comfort items to the United Service Organizations (USO) Center at the Palm Springs Airport and contributing to DAR Project Patriot which focuses on meeting the needs of active-duty personnel currently serving our country. We have also partnered with the Department of Defense to recognize the service of almost 200 local Vietnam-era veterans by holding two special Vietnam War 50-year Commemoration events.

In 2014, the Cahuilla Chapter, NSDAR, placed a historical marker at the Palm Springs Air Museum to pay tribute to those who have served in the armed forces from the American Revolutionary War to the present and to those who gave their lives in service to protect our freedoms.

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

California State Society Daughters of the American Revolution