This episode is part of the DAR Today Podcast’s Legacy Trilogy Edition for Continental Congress and marks the return of What Are Chapters Doing? with Haley Lancaster. Her debut segment shines a light on chapter service, state society projects, and the stories that connect Daughters through historic preservation, education, patriotism, and service. Featured in this episode is the Mall Hands on Deck Cleanup Project, a special pre-Congress service opportunity supporting the Tidal Basin and National Mall area in Washington, D.C. In partnership with the DAR Service to America Committee, DAR Conservation Committee, the National Park Service, and the Trust for the National Mall, DAR volunteers will assist with cleanup and grounds care ahead of the busy summer season. The episode also recognizes the National Society’s Gift to the Nation donation during the Storage Administration, which supports the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment and the long-term preservation of the beloved cherry trees. Listeners are invited to share their own chapter stories by emailing DARPodcast@nsdar.org and to visit the DAR Today Podcast booth during Illuminating Our Service Night at Continental Congress.
In this special Legacy Trilogy Edition of the DAR Today Podcast, we celebrate the return of What Are Chapters Doing?, hosted by National Vice Chair, writer, and editor Haley Lancaster.
Haley’s debut segment shines a spotlight on the meaningful service of DAR chapters and members across the country, beginning with the Mall Hands on Deck Cleanup Project at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Ahead of Continental Congress, DAR volunteers will join together in service to help care for the iconic Japanese cherry blossom trees and the historic landscape surrounding the National Mall.
This episode highlights the power of conservation, civic engagement, and community partnership through the DAR Service to America Committee, DAR Conservation Committee, the National Park Service, and the Trust for the National Mall. It also celebrates the National Society’s Gift to the Nation donation during the Storage Administration, supporting the long-term preservation of the Cherry Tree Endowment.
As Daughters prepare to gather for Continental Congress, this episode reminds us that service is at the heart of who we are. From chapter projects to national efforts, DAR members continue to carry the torch, pass the flame, and illuminate our legacy through service, historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
We are excited to reintroduce our DAR Today Podcast segment, What Are Chapters Doing?
It will be hosted by our National Vice Chair, writer, and editor here on the podcast, Haley Lancaster.
In this special feature, Haley will help spotlight the meaningful work, creative programs, service projects, and inspiring stories happening in DAR chapters and state societies across the country.
Each month, this segment will give listeners a closer look at how Daughters are putting our DAR mission into action in their own communities, all while we continue to illuminate our legacy through service, historic preservation, education, and patriotism.
We are especially thrilled to welcome Haley in her debut on the DAR Today Podcast, and we look forward to sharing these chapter and state society highlights with our listeners each month.
This is such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the heart of DAR — our members, our chapters, and the stories that connect us all.
If you have ever been in Washington, D.C. in the springtime, then you know just how breathtaking those iconic Japanese cherry blossom trees are. They are a true national treasure, and this month, the Daughters of the American Revolution are stepping up in a big way to make sure they stay beautiful for generations to come.
I’m Haley Lancaster, and are you part of What Are Chapters Doing?
On Sunday, June 21, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., before the start of Continental Congress, about 100 dedicated DAR volunteers will gather for the Mall Hands on Deck Cleanup Project along the Tidal Basin.
This special pre-Congress service event is a coordinated effort between the DAR Service to America Committee, the DAR Conservation Committee, the National Park Service, and the Trust for the National Mall.
Now, if you are hearing this and thinking, “Sign me up,” we do have a quick update.
Registration for this event officially closed before this podcast dropped into your feed.
But even though the roster is full, we wanted to take a moment to illuminate the incredible impact this project will have.
During this two-hour window, our specialized squad of DAR members will be rolling up their sleeves to do some serious work.
They will be tackling trash pickup, cleaning signage, weeding, mulching, and handling general grounds care all around the Tidal Basin. It is about giving this historic landscape a much-needed refresh just in time for the massive crowds heading to the National Mall for the Fourth of July festivities.
This project is also a beautiful celebration of the National Society’s Gift to the Nation donation during the Storage Administration, which directly supports the Trust for the National Mall’s Cherry Tree Endowment.
This endowment helps ensure the long-term health and preservation of these historic trees, which were originally gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912. Community partnerships like this are exactly how we keep America’s public spaces thriving.
So while our volunteers are out there in their matching T-shirts doing the hard work on June 21, let’s all cheer them on from afar!
Check out the DAR Store to see if the Day of Service shirt is available, and consider wearing it in your own community as your chapter shows how conservation is service to America.
These volunteers will be carrying on DAR’s longstanding tradition of civic engagement and environmental stewardship right in the heart of our nation’s capital.
Stay tuned, because we cannot wait to share the results of their hard work with you after Continental Congress.
So, What is your chapter doing?
If you have an amazing story to share about how your members are illuminating legacy in your community, drop us a line at DARPodcast@nsdar.org.
And if you will be at Continental Congress, be sure to stop by the DAR Today Podcast booth at Illuminating Our Service Night.
Daughters, we hope you have enjoyed our special Legacy Trilogy Edition for Continental Congress. As we prepare to gather together, we hope these stories have encouraged you, informed you, and reminded you of the meaningful work being done by Daughters and chapters all across our Society. And as always, we invite you to share this episode with your friends, your chapters, and anyone who may be interested in learning more about DAR.
Thank you, Haley, for a wonderful debut. We are so looking forward to more of your reporting.
A special thank you also goes to our National Vice Chair, Lyndsay Lawless, our audio specialist here on the podcast.
She has been working tirelessly to get all three of these episodes out before Congress, and we just want to let you know, Lyndsay, we could not have done it without you.
If you all see Lyndsay, make sure you give her some love, because we are all so grateful that she has joined us here on the DAR Today Podcast.
We will see many of you at Congress, and we will be back after Congress with more stories, more service, and more of what our chapters are doing across the country.
So until then, may we continue to carry the torch, pass the flame, and honor the legacy entrusted to us as we illuminate our legacy.
I’m True Lewis, your host here at the DAR Today Podcast.
And we’ll see you in D.C.