Service to military
In 1898, when the NSCDA-NC was still in its infancy, the outbreak of the Spanish American War provided the impetus for the Society’s first major patriotic service project. NC Dames raised funds to furnish an ambulance ship.
During World War I and World War II, the North Carolina Society focused its efforts on patriotic service – almost to the exclusion of all other activities. Dames across the state gave time and money to various initiatives including the making of bandages and dressings, investment in War Bonds, supplying garments to military personnel, contributions to the Red Cross and the Hospital Ship Fund, and welcoming soldiers into their homes. See History for more details.
Today, NC Dames continue to provide service to our military in numerous ways:
- Acquiring comfort items for and distributing to active-duty military
- Participation in the Blue Star Museum program
- Funding for the Fisher Houses at Camp Lejeune and the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg
- Acquiring and distributing toiletries, books and other items to Veterans Hospitals and Nursing Homes
- Hosting Veterans Day Programs
- Supporting One Dog At A Time, a pet therapy program for hospitalized veterans
Citizenship Programs
Naturalization
In 1919, the National Society launched an initiative to encourage immigrants to pursue American citizenship and to assist them in that endeavor. In the decades since, North Carolina has participated in this initiative through a variety of activities such as:
- Helping immigrants prepare for naturalization
- English language tutoring to newly naturalized citizens
- Attending naturalization ceremonies
- Hosting receptions for new citizens
Washington Workshops
The Congressional Seminar Essay Contest for High School Students is a major project of the NSCDA in partnership with the Washington Workshops Foundation. Winners receive full tuition, housing, and two meals daily, for a week of citizenship education in Washington, D.C. Participants attend meetings of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Supreme Court, and become acquainted with other governmental offices and institutions. The NC Society conducts the competition within our state, choosing two winners, who receive scholarships to attend the program. For more information...
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Wilson-Edgecombe Committee’s Veteran’s Day project:
“On the Tuesday before Veterans Day we shopped for our soldiers deployed overseas; you can bet that by afternoon's end we were tired but elated by the experience. What better way to commemorate Veterans Day and get in the spirit of Thanksgiving?
The unit that we chose to shop for was deployed from North Carolina to Afghanistan and includes 8 men and 4 women. We were able to buy nearly all of their 'wish list' thanks to your generous contributions of $540.00. They had requested 'tactical gear for cold weather' which we translated as 'insulated toboggans, fingerless gloves with mitten covers, and wool socks' - all in dark or neutral colors. The women wanted green tea and flavored coffee creamers. Everyone will enjoy the note cards, batteries, puzzle books, snacks, hand sanitizer, and Our State magazines.
Kindergartner 'Bo' Valentine, helped us assemble little Christmas stockings with Lifesavers, gum and candy canes - and never asked to keep a single piece for himself! We shipped eight boxes and have $20 left in our "kitty" for next time.”
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