Michael Hillegas Chapter NSDAR
What We Do
Service to Our Community
NSDAR National Day of Service
In October we celebrated the NSDAR 130th Anniversary Day of Service with a donation to the VA Food Pantry. We made the final donation for 2020 with a donation of 210 cases of food, bringing our grand total of donations to 310 cases of food. These donations would not have been possible without the generosity of the DAR members as well as other individuals, churches and organizations. We also had one member whose Day of Service involved picking up a section of the bike path.
The Michael Hillegas Chapter NSDAR Donates Over 200 Books to the Harrisburg District Library
Education has always been important to DAR members and is one of the founding missions of the National Society. Literacy and encouraging reading in families as well as adults has been one of the focuses of the Michael Hillegas chapter for many years. Chapter members contributed children’s books as well as novels, historical books and biographical books.
Michael Hillegas Chapter NSDAR, Honors Students
Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, is proud to recognize the following Good Citizen Winners: Kendall —Harrisburg High School; Olivia —Galatia High School; and Aryanna —Carrier Mills. Stonefort High School took home the honor of being selected to be DAR Good Citizens.
Galatia High School
Harrisburg High School
Family Literacy Month
Regent Kathy Morris met with Emily Drone, Harrisburg District Children’s Librarian to sign a proclamation declaring the month of November as Family Literacy Month.
American Indian Month
Harrisburg Mayor John McPeek signed a proclamation designating November as National American Indian Heritage Month and urged all citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
Service to Veterans
Harrisburg Veterans
Signe Plumee spoke and honored veterans at Brookstone in Harrisburg
Eyeglasses for Veterans
Michael Hillegas, NSDAR, donated eyeglasses to the Veterans Administration
Memorial Day Rememberance
Karen Vinyard put flags our on Veterans graves for Memorial Day
Blessing Boxes
Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, collected 8 blessing boxes for the VA
Heroes in Afghanistan
Memorial for our 13 fallen Heroes in Afghanistan presented by Sheila Albright and prayer by Chaplain, Cheri McClusky
June Honor Flight Mail Call
Michael Hillegas Members sent letters for the eighth Honor Flight of Southern Illinois. Dolores Payne, 94 years young, writes her cards to be included with the delivery.
Chapter Donates to VA Food Pantry
In April the Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, concluded a food pantry drive to benefit the Marion VA food pantry. The food drive was a great success due to the generosity of the DAR members, Just Serve, Eldorado Church of God, Norris City General Baptist, and many individuals.
Valentines for Heroes
The Chapter collected over 300 valentines that were delivered to individuals, nursing homes, hospitals, etc This year we collaborated with Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller to deliver valentines to Veterans throughout Southern Illinois.
Chapter Honors 99 Year Old Veteran
Veteran’s Chapter Chairman Shelia Albright visited Reginald Riegel on his 99th birthday, delivering cards , a patriotic arrangement, and balloons. Mr. Riegel told her that he was planning on being around for his hundredth birthday too.
A Wreath for Every Veteran
A Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, members donated enough to place 30 wreaths at the Mounds City National Cemetery. The Illinois State Regent designated “Wreaths Across American” as her State project, so we also supported her effort while we honored our veterans.
Chapter Honors Vietnam War Veterans
In November, Shelia Albright, Cheri McClusky, Sharron Tanner, Lucinda Rogers , and Lucinda’s two daughters honored four Vietnam War Veterans. They were the three Duncan brothers: Larry, Russell, and Mike. The fourth was MR. Payne from Ridgway.
Chapter Honors 99 Year Old Veteran
Sue Perina welcomed home her husband Joe when he returned from the 7th Southern Illinois Honor Flight in September. Joe was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era.
Recognition of Veteran First Responders
Shelia Albright, Veteran's Chairman, recently presented the American Legion George Hart Post #167, the Saline County Sheriff's Department and the Harrisburg Police Department, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department Veteran First Responders with Hershey bars to thank them for their service. The wrappers were printed with "Thank you for your service", "You are the best", "You are my hero", or "A sweet salute”.
Saline County Sheriff’s Department and Harrisburg Police Department
American Legion
Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office
Hillegas Chapter NSDAR Helps Keep Veterans Warm This Winter
Just in time for the cold winter months the Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR, Veterans Chairman Shelia Albright delivered ten large bags containing lap blankets, sweat shirts, sock hats and hygiene products to Maria Buehler VA Voluntary Service Officer.
Memorial Day — Honoring Verterans at Harrisburg “Little Arlington” Cemetery
Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR daughters gather at the stone marking known American Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Saline County. Daughters laid a Wreath of Remembrance.
Illinois State Organization NSDAR Honors Michael Hillegas Daughter
Shelia Albright, Veterans Chairman for the Michael Hillegas Chapter NSDAR recently received the Illinois State Organization NSDAR award for Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans. She received the award based on her body of work. Each year Shelia develops activities to provide services to veterans through a variety of projects. Shelia plans many projects for members that benefit veterans. Members participate in Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day Ceremonies, raise funds for Honor Flights, collects food for the VA Food Pantry, provide warm clothing and hygiene products, etc. When Shelia meets veterans on the street, she thanks them for their service. Shelia has visited veteran’s in their homes, hospitals, and nursing homes. She has thanked and honored Vietnam Era Veterans with certificates and pins. She has recruited members to send veterans birthday cards, Valentines, Memorial Day cards, July 4th cards, Thanksgiving cards, Christmas cards etc. every year. Each year Shelia continues to discover new endeavors to recognize veterans for their sacrifices to keep America free. Shelia is a certified volunteer for the Marion Veteran’s Administration.
Shelia Albright, Michael Hillegas Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution proudly wears the new state Outstanding DAR Service for Veterans medal
Patriotism
For 93 years, the Michael Hillegas Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have carried the torch of patriotism. In that spirit of patriotism the chapter has a memorial stone at this site dedicated to all of the known American Revolutionary War Veterans buried in Saline County.
All libraries had a DAR Constitution Week Poster and book display. Harrisburg Library had one by the library and two by the chapter.
Informative & Fun Meetings
District meetings provide an opportunity to meet daughters from other chapters and to learn more about the organization.
Krystal Gulley, Harrisburg District Library Director, helped daughters get ready for some good reading during “ Women in History Month” .
The Michael Hillegas Chapter, NSDAR invited local Scout Troop to attend their April meeting and demonstrate the “13 Folds”.
Pictured are Travis DeNeal , Scout Master, and his son, Wilson, demonstrating the folds as his wife Sara (not shown) reads the meaning as they make each fold.
Illinois State Organization | National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
Contact the webmaster | This site last updated December 21, 2023
The content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR.
Hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
