Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Jeptha Abbott DAR recognizes March into Literacy, Women’s History Month
The Jeptha Abbott Daughters of the American Revolution met this week to celebrate March into Literacy Month and Women’s History Month. During the meeting, Martin McNeil, a volunteer ESL tutor with the Volunteer English Program (VEP), West Chester, spoke passionately about “Transforming Lives through Language and Literacy.” VEP is a program designed to meet students wherever they are on their path to literacy and proficiency.
After McNeil shared about his experience volunteering with VEP, he also explained how those struggling to learn a language can sign up and how critical the need is for more volunteer tutors within the community. Martin has been with VEP since 2018 and dedicates much of his time to helping members learn or improve their English proficiency, thus furthering the organization’s mission to empower individuals through language education.
After his presentation, McNeil received the DAR’s Literacy Champion Award from Jeptha Abbott DAR Regent Teri Fischer for his dedication to literacy education. To find out more about VEP, go to https:// volunteerenglish.org.
In addition to hearing about this valuable program, Jeptha Abbott DAR members collected items to benefit the women and children of Laurel House. This organization provides comprehensive domestic violence
services and prevention and education services to the broader community. After the meeting, Joyce Keller, who spearheaded the collection of donations, and is the chapter’s Women’s Issues Chair, delivered the items to Emily O’Connell, Coordinator of In-Kind Donations and General Inquiries for Laurel House. To learn more about the organization, go to https:// laurel-house.org.
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 Jeptha Abbott members continue the tradition of
helping to educate children, preserve the nation’s history, and champion patriotism. In addition, the Jeptha Abbott chapter has supported many national and local charities, including donating two stained glass windows to the National Patriots Bell Tower at Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge. The Bell Tower, housing one of the largest and finest carillons in the world, was built with funds from the NSDAR. To learn more about the Jeptha Abbott DAR chapter and how to join, visit jacdar.org.
NSDAR was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education,
and patriotism. Its members descend from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service, having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities worldwide during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR, and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.