WAYNE, PA — On Thursday, the Wayne, PA, Jeptha Abbott Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and other chapters across the state, participated in Pennsylvania Day by serving fellow Pennsylvanians in need. The celebration of Pennsylvania Day is held annually on July 20th and is dedicated to Pennsylvanians helping other Pennsylvanians. This day commemorates the Commonwealth being granted its statehood on Dec. 12, 1787, and is part of America250PA.
July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. America250 was created to help plan for this extraordinary milestone. America250 and America250PA include many notable events leading up to commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.
Teri Fischer, Regent for the Jeptha Abbott DAR, said, “Serving others is the heartbeat of our organization. We look forward to participating in future Pennsylvania Days and many other service opportunities as we gear up for America250 and America250PA.”
One of the locations Jeptha Abbott DAR members volunteered was Grands Stepping Up (GSU), which supports grandparents raising their grandchildren and kinship guardians raising their family members. Located in the basement of Llanerch Hills Chapel, Havertown, GSU was started by Karen Barnes, a former volunteer program coordinator and single grandmother raising a grandchild. Karen started the umbrella organization GSU after seeing other grandmothers in similar situations as herself – raising grandchildren with little help and feeling isolated. After discovering that many of these family caretakers were struggling like she had, she decided to do something about it. Grands Stepping Up supports the grandfamily — financially, psychologically, legally, and socially — so the new family unit is set up for greater success. Its signature programs include a legal clinic, therapeutic counseling services, holiday programs, support groups, financial services (emergent needs and youth activities funds), a fundraising/donation component, and a volunteer program. It also includes Denis’ Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, which allows any member of the Delaware County community and grandparents from anywhere to come for food, clothing, and baby goods.
This program was named after Karen’s brother and hero, Denis, who died of COVID-19.
The organization has partnered with other entities, such as the Main Line Art Center and Kiwanis of the Main Line, to provide free art programs for grandchildren. And the legal clinic comprises local family lawyers who offer their services on a sliding scale. They also have licensed therapists who volunteer their services for trauma-focused counseling. In addition to food and clothing, they provide financial assistance as they can.
“Grandmothers are raising their grandchildren due to many issues, such as the opiate epidemic, incarceration, mental health issues, death or illness of the parents that cause the parents to have the inability to fit in their traditional parental roles. Getting others involved builds community and brings success,” said Karen, “Saying yes and not giving up has created an organization that I could have never anticipated. As a result, many grandmothers and grandchildren and community members in Delaware County are being blessed.”
To donate to or volunteer with Grands Stepping Up, go to https://grandssteppingupinfo.com/about-us. GSU is always in need of diapers, wipes, school supplies, kid-friendly foods and lunch snacks, children’s clothing, and personal care items. On August 26th, they are holding a Back to School Backpack and School Supply Drive, and they appreciate having volunteers willing to “Adopt a Family” during the holidays. They are also looking for a building to call their own.
The NSDAR is a service organization founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members descend from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 177,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. DAR members are committed to volunteer service, having served more than 12.5 million hours in communities worldwide during the past three years. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org or connect with DAR on social media at facebook.com/TodaysDAR, twitter.com/TodaysDAR, and youtube.com/TodaysDAR.
Jeptha Abbott DAR was named after Jeptha Abbott, a Revolutionary War soldier. The Jeptha Abbott DAR chapter was founded on November 18, 1929, by Elizabeth Abigail Ransley. Now, more than 200 Jeptha Abbott members continue the tradition of helping to educate children, preserve the nation’s history, and champion patriotism. In addition, the Jeptha Abbott chapter has supported national and local charities, including donating two stained glass windows to the National Patriots Bell Tower, Washington Memorial Chapel in Valley Forge National Historical Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The Bell Tower, housing one of the largest and finest carillons in the world, was built with funds from the NSDAR. To learn more about the Jeptha Abbott chapter and how to join, visit https://www.jacdar.org.
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