Jeptha Abbott DAR and Valley Forge DAR join forces for momentous day – Daily Local

The Pennsylvania Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (PSSDAR) chapters of Jeptha Abbott of Ardmore and Valley Forge of Norristown participated in Pennsylvania Day this week by volunteering at Pete’s Produce Farm, West Chester, picking vegetables for the Chester County Food Bank.

Pennsylvania Day is celebrated annually on July 20. It commemorates the commonwealth’s statehood on December 12, 1787, and is a day dedicated to Pennsylvanians helping other Pennsylvanians in various ways. This year’s focus was on ending hunger. Food insecurity currently affects nearly 2 million Pennsylvanians, which is why volunteering at local food banks and farms is so important.

Since 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation. America250 was created to help plan this extraordinary milestone. America250PA was created to celebrate Pennsylvania’s leading role in our nation’s 250th anniversary celebration. Pennsylvania Day is part of the America250PA. The hope is to grow Pennsylvania Day – with different events and places to volunteer each year – all leading up to July 4, 2026 – our 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies in 1776.

Terri Fisher, Jeptha Abbott DAR Regent of Ardmore, said, “Serving others is the heartbeat of our chapter. We look forward to participating in future Pennsylvania Days and many other service opportunities as we prepare for the America250 and America250PA.”

PSSDAR is working closely with the State of Pennsylvania to mark this important event. Cynthia Pritchard, America250PA State PSSDAR Chair, and Cynthia Brenner, America Service PSSDAR Chair, communicate regularly with America250PA leaders so that the DAR can assist with this attraction. According to Ms. Pritchard, “It was an honor to see so many DAR sisters volunteering on the day, especially from the Jeptha Abbott and Valley Forge chapters. And this is just the beginning of many great events we have planned.”

NSDAR was founded in 1890 to promote historical preservation, education and patriotism. Its members are descended from patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 177,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the largest and most active service organizations in the world. DAR members are committed to volunteer service, having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities around the world over the past three years. To learn more about the work of Today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.

Jeptha Abbott DAR was named after Jeptha Abbott, a Revolutionary War soldier. The Jeptha Abbott DAR Chapter was founded on November 18, 1929 by Elizabeth Abigail Ransley. Now more than 200 members of Jeptha Abbott continue the tradition of helping to educate children, preserve the history of the people and defend patriotism. In addition, the Jeptha Abbott Chapter supports national and local charities, including donating two stained glass windows to the National Patriot Bell Tower, Washington Memorial Chapel at Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The bell tower, home to one of the largest and most beautiful carillons in the world, was built with NSDAR funds. To learn more about the Jeptha Abbott Chapter and how to join, visit https://www.jacdar.org.

Founded in 1894, the regent of the Valley Forge DAR was Anna Morris Holstein, who served as a Civil War nurse and was later instrumental in preserving Washington’s headquarters and the surrounding area, which later became part of Valley Forge National Historical Park. The Valley Forge Chapter recently worked with other community groups to sponsor a historical marker in front of Mrs. Holstein’s home in King of Prussia.