Members of the Major James Kerr Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) are continuing their efforts to support veterans and active-duty military in the community. For the past three years, chapter members have regularly participated in activities at the Kerrville VA Hospital. One of their ongoing contributions has been providing ingredients for a weekly dessert prepared for residents each Friday. At the recent Texas DAR fall meeting, the Service to America Committee invited attendees to assist inpatient veterans at the Kerrville VA Hospital by donating supplies for crockpot dump cakes. VA nursing staff prepare the cakes to encourage residents to gather and socialize. In response, DAR members purchased additional ingredients, sorted them into 21 supply bags and delivered the first of several donations to the hospital. The bags contain enough supplies to provide desserts for 28 weeks. Representatives from the Major James Kerr Chapter in Kerrville, the Ephraim Andrews Chapter in Fredericksburg, and the George W. Kendall Chapter in Boerne participated in the effort. The contributions were accepted by Nathan Vick, administrator of the Kerrville VA Hospital, and Rodney Risemas, CDCE specialist. Members of the Major James Kerr Chapter plan to provide the next delivery in early December. The Ephraim Andrews Chapter will contribute in spring 2026, with the George W. Kendall Chapter scheduled to deliver ingredients in the summer. The project continues a tradition that dates to 1946, when Gen. Omar Bradley, director of the Veterans Administration following World War II, established the Office of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services (VAVS). Today, each VA medical facility has a VAVS Committee made up of representatives from organizations that support veteran patients. More than 7,400 national and community groups participate in VAVS, including the DAR. Suzanne Faught and Lisa Williams of the Major James Kerr Chapter serve as DAR representatives on the Kerrville VAVS Committee.
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