DAR Chapter Collects Holiday Cards at Local Fair to Support Troops

Members of the Patchogue-based chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) collected over 330 holiday cards for service members at the recent Brookhaven Country Fair.

The weekend event, held September 21-22, was set against the backdrop of the Longwood Estate in Ridge, N.Y.—a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places—and provided a unique opportunity for the Col. Josiah Smith Chapter to engage with the local community. Visitors were invited to contribute to the card collection, showing an outpouring of gratitude and support for service members. “It was heartwarming to see the community come together for such an important cause,” Chapter Regent Erin Shaw shared. “The support we received was a reminder of the incredible impact we can make when we work together.”

As part of their annual “DAR Service to America” project, the chapter aims to send 500 holiday cards to active service members, with this recent collection pushing them past the halfway mark. These cards will be sent to the Holiday Cards for Our Military Challenge, an organization dedicated to delivering personalized, signed messages of respect, caring, and gratitude to U.S. troops.

To honor the anniversary of DAR’s founding on October 11, 1890, chapters and individuals are encouraged to engage in meaningful service projects in their communities each year on or around October 11. As part of this annual service tradition, members will be writing and collecting cards through the end of October.

The Longwood Estate, once home to the prominent Smith family, has a rich history dating back over two centuries. It was acquired by the Town of Brookhaven in 1974, following a grassroots effort by local residents to preserve the land from commercial development. Today, the estate continues to serve as a gathering place for the community, hosting events like the Brookhaven Country Fair that celebrate local culture and history.

Adding to the fair’s charm was the presence of the Third New York Regiment, who offered Revolutionary War reenactments throughout the weekend, bringing history to life for attendees. The event also featured a wide range of attractions, including craft vendors, children’s activities, food stalls, and live music.

The Col. Josiah Smith Chapter looks forward to continuing its Service to America initiative and connecting with the community again next year at the fair.

———

The DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible. The Colonel Josiah Smith Chapter, NSDAR, was charted in Patchogue, N.Y., in 1920 and has been active in the community for more than 100 years. For additional information about the chapter and its relevant mission, visit coloneljosiahsmithchapternsdar.org.