Charities and Community Projects

Royal Recognition of the St. James Chapter, NSDAR, Charitable Endeavours

Buckingham Palace

In 2006, our St. James Chapter, NSDAR, Regent was graced with an invitation from Her Royal Highness (HRH) Queen Elizabeth II to a small reception at Buckingham Palace, representing her Chapter. This recognition was a testament to our Chapter’s dedication to our United Kingdom charities, underscoring the impact of our efforts.

Clarence House

In the same year, our Regent was accorded the honour of meeting the then Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence House. This special small audience from the American Arts, Culture, Business, Media and Public Service in the United Kingdom heralded their forthcoming joint visit to the United States as a newly married couple.

A Range of St. James Chapter, NSDAR, Charitable and Project Contributions

Conservation

Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation is home to one of the United Kingdom’s largest Bird of Prey Conservation Centres with over 50 species. It has also grown to become a wildlife sanctuary that houses many different species of other animals. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, has sponsored American Bald Eagles since the Foundation’s early days, and we currently sponsor three American Bald Eagles. The Chapter additionally makes specific donations as needed by the Centre.

The Orchard Project is the only national charity dedicated to creating, restoring, and celebrating community orchards, working closely with community groups to design and develop new orchards and restore neglected heritage orchards. St. James Chapter, NSDAR makes annual donations to this charity and volunteers when appropriate.

Education

The Book Trust, the United Kingdom’s largest children’s reading charity, started in 1921. This charity works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations to this charity.

The Conway Library, Courtauld Institute: The Courtauld’s photographic collections are of major international significance for the study and research of art, architecture, provenance and collecting, as well as enjoyment and appreciation of art in the classroom and at home. The collection is arranged by date period and then alphabetically by nationality and location. Comprising over 3.2 million images, many of which have never been published before, they are being digitised and made freely available for the first time. The majority of images may be downloaded and used free of charge for non-commercial use. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, members volunteer to help with the digitisation and cataloguing.

DAR Scholarships: – The Chapter sponsors applicants for DAR Scholarships as outlined on the NSDAR Scholarship webpage.

Daughters Of The American Revolution Library
Give A Book Project: St. James Chapter, NSDAR, has donated the following books

Samplers from the Victoria and Albert Museum;
The Invention of Comfort: Sensibilities and Design in Modern Britain and Early America;
The Art of Dress by Aileen Ribeiro;
From Knowledge to Narrative by Lisa C. Roberts;
English, Irish and Scottish Silver at the Francine Clark Art Institute By Beth Carver Wees;
English Silver in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston;
Classic Quilts from The American Museum in Britain Catalogue from ‘Americans in Paris’;
Exhibition, National Gallery (United Kingdom).

The National Literacy Trust is a national independent charity that empowers children, young people, and adults with the literacy skills they need to succeed. The Chapter provides annual donations.

The Royal Society for Blind Children: Chapter members have volunteered at this Society, and we have provided Braille paper, books, and specialised items requested, as well as financial donations.

Sanctuary Scholarship Fund University of London (SOAS): St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations to the University of London SOAS Hardship Fund for students arriving to study in London, many from war-torn areas, who need immediate short-term financial assistance.

West Heath School for Traumatised Children is an independent specialised school offering day and boarding education. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, has supported this school since its inception as The Beth Marie School for Traumatised Children. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, has helped the school once they moved to their current location in the Burser’s Office, helping to organise and write grants for the school. We have donated children’s clothes, bed linens and towels for their then-new boarding facilities and books for their library. We make annual financial donations.

Historic Preservation

All Hallows by the Tower Church Is the oldest surviving Church in the City of London, founded in 675 AD. This is a historically significant Church with close ties to the Penn family and American history. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations for the maintenance of the Church and additional contributions for selected Church projects.

The American Museum in Britain is the only American Decorative Arts Museum outside the United States and is a Grade One listed building. Their room sets recreate periods of American history and the Museum is world-renowned for its folk art, quilt and map collections. Its Grade Two listed American gardens feature some of the most iconic movements in American landscape design, including a replica of George Washington’s New American Garden at Mount Vernon. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual contributions to benefit this internationally renowned Museum and American gardens with additional donations to selected museum projects.

Benjamin Franklin House: St. James Chapter, NSDAR, is a Patron of this charity, and we have been involved since its inception. The Chapter donates annually to the maintenance and preservation of the only standing home of Benjamin Franklin and to benefit their educational programmes for children with additional project donations as required. Benjamin Franklin House received an NSDAR Special Project Grant sponsored by St. James Chapter, NSDAR, in 2012.

Donations to the National Society from St. James Chapter, NSDAR:

Daughters of the American Revolution Museum: – Adopt An Object Programme:

#73.176 Acquisitions and Conservation: English Sampler: 1793 by Sarah Herbert, featured in a 2008 DAR Museum Exhibition.
#62.151 Acquisitions and Conservation: English Sampler: 1728; Unsigned
#Conservation: English Sampler: 1690 by Mary Cooper, featured in DAR Museum Exhibition “As Centuries End”, Spring 2000.

St. James Chapter, NSDAR, is the first Units Overseas Chapter to contribute to this programme.

Friends of the D.A.R. Museum: English Silver Donations:

#2002.37.1-2: Two Silver George III salt bowls, 1760
#2002.37.3.a, b: Silver pepper pot by George Hindman, 1775
#2002.37.4: Late George II Silver punch ladle with a turned wooden handle, 1727

Fulham Palace Trust: Home of the Bishops of London for over 1,000 years from the 11th century until 1973, this Grade One listed building with medieval origins played host to numerous early colonial Americans. The Bishops of London were the official spiritual jurisdiction over the colonies and licenced all the clergymen and teachers until 1776. Fulham Palace once contained the Bradford Manuscript (The Log of the Mayflower), which was found and given to the United States on 29 April 1897. Today, Fulham Palace Trust is working to restore the buildings with several restored historic rooms, create an educational atmosphere with various children’s and historic gardening activities, and provide apprenticeships. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, became Patrons of the Trust in 2016.

The John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum is located in the cottage on the Arbigland estate in the Dumfries and Galloway region of Scotland, where the American Naval Hero was born. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, was invited to be involved with this project during its inception in 1991, and we have been told that our support of this Trust convinced grant-giving bodies to donate funds in its early years of formation. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, has donated all flags, which we replace as required, the donation of selected antiques of the period for display in the Museum and annual contributions for their use as needed. The John Paul Jones Birthplace Museum Trustees have awarded the Chapter a framed Certificate of Appreciation for our support.

Sulgrave Manor: The home of George Washington’s ancestors. This manor was presented to the peoples of Great Britain and the United States of America to celebrate the hundred years of peace between the two nations. The Chapter participates in cultural activities and makes annual donations.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea: “The Men in Scarlet,” the home of the iconic Chelsea Pensioners, who are all retired soldiers of the British Army. The Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded in 1682 by King Charles II and intended for the “succour and relief of veterans broken by age and by war.” The Royal Hospital buildings, which are Grade One listed, were designed and erected by Sir Christopher Wren, and they still serve their original purpose well into the 21st century. The Chapter is a ‘Friend’ of The Royal Hospital with annual donations.

(PATRIOTIC) UK GOOD CITIZENSHIP ENDEAVOURS:

Barnardo’s Children’s Charity was begun in 1867 as an orphanage. It is now a charity that helps hundreds of thousands of children, young people, parents and carers across the United Kingdom with complex issues like sexual abuse, mental health problems and serious violence. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations to this charity.

Brookwood American Monuments Cemetery: The Chapter has acted as Master of Ceremonies at the patriotic remembrance ceremonies, laid remembrance wreaths, and made targeted donations.

Jamestown Society, National Society Children of the American Revolution (N.S.C.A.R.) in the United Kingdom is sponsored by the St. James Chapter, NSDAR.

The Children’s Society: Thousands of children every year run away because they believe even a night on the street is better than one dominated by abuse. The Children’s Society supports young people forced to make this decision, helping them at each stage of their journey toward re-building their lives for as long as it takes the child to do so. Society volunteers go out onto the streets to find these vulnerable children and support them in their first homes while they study or work. The Chapter makes an annual donation to the Society.

Combat Stress: Since 1919, this United Kingdom-based charity has provided mental health support to veterans from every Service and conflict. Their support is vital to those who turn to them in their time of need. For many, this is years after leaving the Armed Forces. On average it takes a veteran 14 years to ask for their help after leaving the service. Veterans with complex mental health conditions need a specialised team made up of different mental health professionals to help them, and they provide this. Their directly employed clinicians work closely with each other and the veteran to develop a treatment plan that best suits their needs. This highly specialised treatment for United Kingdom veterans is at their centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Their treatment is available online, in the community, through outpatient appointments and on a residential basis when required. Demand remains constant. Their work is life-changing and often life-saving. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations.

FareShare: Hunger & Food Waste Charity is a charity network established in 1994 that aims to relieve food poverty and reduce food waste in the United Kingdom. It obtains good quality surplus food from the food industry, including farmers, and redistributes it to nearly 8,500 frontline charities and community groups. The St. James Chapter, NSDAR, both volunteers and donates annually to this charity.

Francis House Children’s Hospice provides a home-from-home for appropriate respite and end-of-life care for children and young people with short life expectancy and their families. The St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations to this charity.

Help for Heroes: A British veterans charity launched in 2007 that offers varied, tailored support for wounded military returned from war. The Chapter contributes by annual donations and specified fund-raising.

St. Mungo’s: This charity understands a pet can be a lifeline for someone sleeping rough. That is why this is the only homeless charity that accepts pets. They are also the first British registered charity to realise the necessity of an outreach programme for the homeless. At all hours, 365 days a year, volunteers search for the homeless, finding out who is rough sleeping and where so they can focus their efforts on those most in need. Outreach workers will take months to establish a relationship with people who are often suspicious of authority before they can offer accommodation, advice and practical help. Money donated to St. Mungo’s is focused on helping people come off the street rather than making it easier for them to stay on the street. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, donates annually to this charity.

Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Airmen’s Families Association (SSAFA), the Armed Forces Charity, is a United Kingdom charity that provides lifelong support to serving men and women and veterans from the British Armed Forces and their families or dependents. Anyone currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force and their families, both regulars and reserves, is eligible for their help. SSAFA’s professional staff and network of more than 3,400 volunteers assist more than 66,000 people every year, from World War II veterans to the families of young servicemen and women wounded or killed in Afghanistan. Founded in 1885, SSAFA is the United Kingdom’s oldest national tri-service Armed Forces charity. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual financial donations to this charity.

Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the United Kingdom supporting children, women and men who are being abused or have been abused. They offer safe, temporary accommodation, emotional and practical support, legal advocacy, and economic abuse support, amongst a range of specialist, confidential services that empower people to live their lives without fear. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, makes annual donations to this charity.

The Royal British Legion: The Chapter purchases all of the wreaths we donate from the Legion. We make annual donations and we continually explore other areas in which we may give support.

The Royal Star and Garter Home For Disabled Sailors, Soldiers & Airmen: – A British charity founded in 1916 to aid any wounded serviceman or woman who served in His Majesty’s Forces, including reserves, young or old, of any rank, any length of Service who is physically disabled. The Chapter gives annual financial donations and visits the home and its residents.

The Samaritans: We support the complete running costs of two twenty-four-hour working days of the Harrogate Branch of this national charity. The Samaritans counsel troubled and suicidal persons 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The American Air Force Bases at Menwith Hill and Lakenheath are within this office’s catchment, as is a large international conference centre. The days we sponsor are 11 October, the founding day of the NSDAR and the St. James Chapter, NSDAR, and 11 September, in an expression of our gratitude to the Samaritans of Harrogate for their immediate response and mobilisation to the American groups within their catchment upon hearing of the terrorist attack on the United States.

An Example of Community Service Projects

American and British Pen Pals: In cooperation with the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council in Scotland, the Chapter located American pen pals for school children in their area.

Aries Project: American Roots in English Soil: A past Lincolnshire Junior School project highlighting American history in the Lincolnshire area.

Conway Library – Courtauld Institute: Chapter members provide volunteer work.

Jamestown 2007 British Committee: St. James Chapter, NSDAR, participated in the United Kingdom planning of the Jamestown 2007 celebrations and participated in the United Kingdom activities.

St. Michael and All Saints Church, Dorset: A Grade One listed church with ties to the Washington family. St. James Chapter, NSDAR, sponsored the winning 2023 NSDAR Historic Preservation Grant.

Llandudno Elderly People’s Welfare Society: The Chapter provided donations and volunteer work.

Jamestown Society, Westminster, United Kingdom, Children of the American Revolution is sponsored by St. James Chapter, NSDAR. Organised on 31 May 2014.

ROTC Certificates and Medals at American Department of Defense High Schools: The Chapter sponsors the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Awards upon request, with a possible presence to award the medal. Past sponsored ROTC awards were for Alconbury Armed Services High School (United Kingdom), Lakenheath High School (United Kingdom), Seoul American High School, Taegu American High School (Korea), and Guam High School (Asan, Guam).

Military and Civil Ceremonies: When requested, the Chapter represents the NSDAR, St. James Chapter, NSDAR, and the American community at wreath-laying ceremonies, parades, or American Citizenship ceremonies.

Warden – U. S. Embassy London: St. James Chapter, NSDAR, is part of the United States Embassy-London ‘Warden Message Network’, which disseminates messages the United States government needs its citizens abroad to know. This is information from taxes and events to serious United Kingdom security alerts.