Jeptha Abbott DAR and Valley Forge DAR join forces for momentous day
The Ardmore-based Jeptha Abbott and Norristownbased Valley Forge Chapters of the Pennsylvania Society Daughters of the American Revolution (PSSDAR) participated in Pennsylvania Day this week by volunteering at Pete’s Produce Farm, West Chester, picking vegetables for the Chester County Food Bank.
The celebration of Pennsylvania Day is held annually on July 20th. It commemorates the Commonwealth being granted its statehood on Dec. 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 volunteerism at local food banks and farms is so important.
As 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. America250 was created to help plan for this extraordinary milestone. America250PA was created to celebrate Pennsylvania’s leading role in the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of our country. Pennsylvania Day is a part of America250PA.
The hope is to grow Pennsylvania Day — with different activities 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.
Teri Fischer, Regent for the Ardmore-based Jeptha Abbott DAR, 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 gear up for America250 and America250PA.”
The PSSDAR is working closely with the state of Pennsylvania to celebrate this momentous occasion. Cynthia Pritchard, PSSDAR State Chair for America250PA, and Cynthia Brenner, PSSDAR Service to America State Chair, communicate regularly with America250PA leaders so DAR can help with this landmark. According to Ms. Pritchard, “It was a privilege to see so many DAR sisters volunteering on this day — especially those from the Jeptha Abbott and Valley Forge Chapters. And this is just the beginning of many more momentous events we have planned.”
The 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 177,000 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 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 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 national and local charities, including
donating two stained glass windows to the National Patriots Bell Tower, Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 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 chapter and how to join, visit https://www.jacdar.org.
Founded in 1894, the Valley
Forge DAR Chapter’s organizing regent was Anna Morris Holstein who had served as a Civil War nurse and later was instrumental in preserving Washington’s Headquarters and the surrounding land which later became part of Valley Forge National Historic Park. 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.