DAR Community Service Award

About the Award

The DAR Community Service Award is a non-competitive recognition presented to individuals or organizations who perform outstanding voluntary community service on a local level. The award consists of a certificate and a pin, and is presented by DAR chapters to honor those who make a difference in their communities through cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historic, citizenship, environmental, or conservation service activities.

This award is one way the Daughters of the American Revolution fulfills its mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism—by shining a light on the volunteers who strengthen our communities every day.

Qualifications for the Award

To be eligible for the DAR Community Service Award, the nominee must:

  • Have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, or benevolent service

  • Have completed the service within the past five (5) years

  • Have received no compensation for the service

  • Not have received the DAR Community Service Award previously

  • Not be receiving the award posthumously (though an approved award may be presented posthumously)

Are DAR members eligible? Yes—as long as the service is unrelated to their DAR activities.

  • Caretakers of historic places, cemeteries, and parks

  • Library, museum, and school volunteers; summer camp coordinators

  • Food bank collections, hot meal preparers, homeless shelter support

  • Wreaths Across America coordinators, veterans support, ROTC volunteers

  • Youth sports volunteers, Scout leaders, Rotary and Lions Club members

  • Animal shelter volunteers, park clean-up coordinators

  • Hospital and hospice volunteers, mask and PPE creators during emergencies

  • Natural disaster responders, donation collection coordinators

  • Grant writers, event planners, dental exams, ramp construction

A group of eight people, mostly women, standing in a line indoors, with a man in the center receiving a certificate from an elderly woman. The group is dressed in formal and semi-formal attire, and they are smiling. Behind them, there is a light-colored wall with a flag and a decorative mirror.
A group of eight people, mostly women, standing in a line indoors, with a man in the center receiving a certificate from an elderly woman. The group is dressed in formal and semi-formal attire, and they are smiling. Behind them, there is a light-colored wall with a flag and a decorative mirror.

Recent Recipient

The Chakchiuma Chapter is proud to have presented the DAR Community Service Award to Johnny Ballas, former owner of The Crystal Grill, in recognition of his generous donation of the restaurant to the Community Kitchen. Ballas was honored at a chapter meeting in January 2026.

Read the Full Story

How to Nominate a Community Volunteer

If you know an individual or organization that deserves recognition for their outstanding voluntary service, please contact the Chakchiuma Chapter NSDAR.

Please provide the following information with your nomination:

  • Nominee's full name and contact information

  • Description of the service performed (within the last 5 years)

  • Supporting documentation (newspaper articles, letters of recommendation, etc.)

  • Your name, title, and contact information

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