Preschool teacher Cindy Dearing, center, accepts books from Chickamauga Chapter DAR Literacy chairmen Carol Rogers, on right, and Marilyn Dammann, on left
Closing 2017 with their commitment to community service, the Chickamauga Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the oldest DAR chapter in the area, donated 320 children’s books to the statewide “Read to Independence” project.
Committee chairmen delivered books to 12 area preschool, elementary and after school programs with a total enrollment of 3,231 children. Librarians and teachers thankfully accepted books for use in libraries, classrooms, and tutoring programs. Bookmarks with the American Flag and Pledge of Allegiance were also donated along with small U.S. flags to promote patriotism.
Each year, DAR members accumulate numerous hours of volunteer service in the promotion of literacy among children. Research has shown that students who do not read proficiently by age 10 are four times more likely to drop out of high school than competent readers. At some point in a student’s education, reading is no longer just a skill to master but a means to obtain new knowledge, said officials.