Local NSDAR Celebrated 25th Year with Children of Tamassee

Submitted by Debbie Houston with the Lawrenceville chapter of the National Socity of the Daughter's of the Revolution, Philadelphia Winn Chapter out of Lawrenceville.

Dec. 4, 2011, marked a special occasion for the Philadelphia Winn Chapter, NSDAR, Lawrenceville, and the Tamassee DAR School in Tamassee, South Carolina. It commemorated the 25th anniversary of a Christmas program that provides dinner and gifts for a sponsored cottage of children on campus. Each year the boys and girls alternate “going to Atlanta,” which is how they refer to it, according to Dean Bare, chief executive officer of Tamassee DAR School. They specifically come to Lawrenceville for dinner hosted by the DAR Chapter.

However, this year the children invited Philadelphia Winn to head north and let them serve dinner for the Daughters and their families. In another twist, the Lawrenceville chapter voted to give all the children at Tamassee gifts this year instead of limiting it to one cottage. The school can have as many as 56 children in grades ranging from kindergarten through high school. Children brought under the wing of Tamassee are placed there due to what Bare refers to as any of the “4 D’s” that can affect a family --- “destitution, divorce, death, or desertion.”

In preparation for the Christmas party, the children wrote out their wish lists. Once Philadelphia Winn  received them, Daughters saw that funds were available to buy the specified items. This is always a family affair, begun 25 years ago by Philadelphia Winn charter members Eloise Williams of Dacula GA, and Ruth Strickland of Auburn GA, her sister. The tradition continues on through the Williams sisters ---  Jenna Black of Decatur GA, Faith Brooks of Dacula GA, and Candace Davis of Dacula GA, all Philadelphia Winn members --- who do the shopping. Their goal is to find the exact gift each child requested. Even the granddaughters participate, not only in finding gifts but also in wrapping them. Thus, three generations of one DAR family guarantee that the Tamassee kids have a joyous Christmas.

The celebration on Dec. 4 kicked off with a special chapel service in which the children sang Christmas hymns and Bare gave a message on “True Giving.” Afterwards, Daughters and their families dined with the children with an exchange of good conversation and warm hugs. During the “Santa” portion of the program, the children received the exact gift they asked for.

The occasion also held an extra-special meaning this year because Bare (“Poppa Bare” to the children) is retiring. This Christmas dinner was the last one the Daughters will share with him. Amy Twitty will succeed Bare as CEO following his departure in January.

If you are interested in joining Philadelphia Winn Chapter, NSDAR, Lawrenceville GA,  email philwinndar@gmail.com.

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