Marco’s DAR salutes new officers, deserving students

Chris Curle

Special to the Eagle

Presentations and applause highlighted the season’s final meeting of Marco Island’s DAR chapter at Hideaway Beach Club on April 19. Two-term Regent, Karen Lombardi passed the gavel to incoming Regent, Pat Hancock, and the eight new officers took the oath of office.

DAR regent Karen Lombardi passed the gavel to incoming regent, Pat Hancock, at the DAR’s April meeting at Hideaway Beach Club. The regent serves a two-year term.

Every spring, the DAR presents exceptional local students with certificates, medals and scholarships for their achievements. This year, the DAR scholarship went to Briana Monroe and the Christopher Columbus Essay award to Danya Zarate, both students at the Marco Island Academy.

DAR annually recognizes an outstanding Marco cadet at Lely High School’s JROTC. This year, the recipient is Eve Nicole McAllister, who was not able to attend the meeting to accept her award in person.

The Marco Island Chapter of the DAR was established in 1976. It has 59 members and 14 associate members. Monthly luncheon meetings are on the third Thursday of each month in season. Potential members and visitors from other chapters are welcome.

The DAR chapter presented a scholarship to Briana Monroe, left, and the DAR Christopher Columbus Essay award for 2018 to Danya Zarate, both students at the Marco Island.

DAR has 180,000 members in 3,000 chapters worldwide. Members are women 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot in the American Revolution.

The DAR supports the active US Military and veterans with more than 200,000 hours of volunteer time annually at VA hospitals and other facilities. Members donate care packages, phone cards and needed personal items to America’s service personnel abroad. Members also participate in naturalization ceremonies and recognize outstanding veterans, students and ROTC/JROTC cadets.

The newly-installed officers of the Marco Island DAR chapter, from left, Karen Lombardi, Debra Haeussler, Margaret Eckhold, Sara Snyder, Lorna Harris, Ysabel Garland, Cynthia Anderson and Pat Hancock.

The next meeting of Marco’s DAR will be Nov. 15. In the meantime, if you want to find out more about Marco’s DAR chapter, contact Karen Lombardi at 239-394-0028.