We assist DAR supported schools through donations of Box Tops for Education and provided backpacks filled with school supplies.
In the past, we also collected Campbell’s UPC labels and gently used clothing for resale.
We sponsor awards for local children participating in the Manatee County History Fair.
Our chapter actively supports outstanding students in their pursuit of obtaining DAR Scholarships.
We are generous financial supporters of all DAR Schools.
Manatee Chapter’s 2023 American History Essay Winner Advances to National Competition
FSSDAR American History Contest 7th Grade Winner, Catherine from St Joseph Catholic School was the 7th Grade winner for her American History Essay on the 2nd Continental Congress. Her essay will now go to Washington DC to compete at the national level. Well done, Catherine!! To read her essay, “Delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress” click here

Catherine from St Joseph Catholic School with Regent Kathy Doddridge
DAR Good Citizen 2023

DAR Good Citizens 2nd Place from Palmetto High School with Regent Doddridge and Vice Regent Kathy Juergens
American History Essay Winners 2023
American History Essay Contest Winners: Regent Kathy Doddridge with 5th Grade Winner from Robert E Willis Elementary; 7th and 6th Grade Winners from St Joseph Catholic School; 8th Grade Winner from St Joseph Catholic School
DAR Day of Service
The Manatee Chapter has increased their volunteer efforts to support the needs of Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School. Each year as our DAR Day of Service project, we purchase much-needed school supplies. When new floorings placed throughout the school, members helped sort and re-catalog the books in the Media Center. The chapter also donated books for their Book Fair. The school operates a food pantry with a weekly food distribution program. Before that can take place, pallets of donated food must be unboxed and stored and Manatee Chapter ladies are working hard to keep this program operating.

Holly Wilson, Barbara Mills, Suzanne Cochran

Holly Wilson, Madeline Rementer

Book Donations

Holly Wilson, BJ Magnum, Mary Breaux

Kathy Granstad, Kathy Patten, Cheryl Hornett, Assistant Principal, Dee Kring Madeline Rementer, Mary Breaux, and Susan Well receive instructions for stocking the Food Pantry
American History Essay Contest Winners
At our January 2022 meeting, we were very fortunate to hear the winning essays written by our winners. All are students from St. Joseph Catholic School representing from left to right, 7th grade, 8th grade and 6th grade.

American History Essay Contest Winners 2022
2022 DAR Good Citizen
Our DAR Good citizen was awarded to this very multitalented you student from Southeast High School. She has aspirations of becoming a physician and we have no doubts, she will succeed . Not pictured was DAR Good Citizen recipient from Palmetto High School.

DAR Good Citizen 2022 pictured with Regent, Kathy Doddridge
Old Florida Christmas – Manatee Village Historical Park
Fund raising for student recognition programs

Julie Worth – selling at craft table

Marlene Frasca, Margaret Smelser, Kathy Patten

Mary Breaux Kathy Doddridge, Susan Well

Susan Well, Suzanne Cochran, Mary Breaux

Susan Well behind Membership Promotion Table

Maeline Rememnter, Arlene Dukanauskas Mary Breaux

Nancy Hooker, Madeline Rementer
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch
Regent Kathy Doddridge continues this very successful program on Anna Maria Island
Managing Threatened Least Tern Colony
Regent Kathy Doddridge Manages a Least Tern Colony
Constitution Week High School Seniors Essay Contest 2021
High school seniors celebrate Constitution Day with essays
Constitution Week Displays at Central Library
Stunning displays by Manatee Chapter Historian Carole Briggs
Book Donation South Manatee Public Library
Manatee Chapter 1st Vice Regent, Kathleen Brooks Juergesn and Regent Kathy Doddridge donate “We are the Water Protectors” to the South Manatee Branch Assistant Library (and future DAR Member) Lin Carlson.
Good Citizen Awards 2021
Each of these students were nominated by their schools for leadership, academics and overall excellence. Representing Palmetto High School and Southeast High School, these two are well on their way to a bright future.
American History Essay Awards 2021
This year’s essay topic as given. to the students: “March 5, 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, considered to be a pivotal event that paved the way to the American Revolution. Imagine you are giving in Boston and, after witnessing the events of March 5, describe your family’s discussion about the Boston Massacre and what role it played in organizing the colonists against the British King and Parliament “

St Joseph Catholic 5th grade essay winner

St Joseph Catholic 6th grade essay winner

St Joseph Catholic 7th grade essay winner

St Joseph Catholic 8th grade essay winner
Good Citizen Awards 2020
We honored and awarded certificates to two students at our February meeting. Each of these students were nominated by their schools for leadership, academics and overall excellence . Southeast High School and Palmetto High School were represented by these two talented young ladies.
American History Essay Awards 2020
St Joseph Catholic School was very well represented by students in 5th (2), 7th and 8th!
Bradenton Christmas Bird Count (CBC) December 14, 2019
L: Regent Kathy Doddridge, R: Fran Kramer with team members Debbie Carr and Yollie Mauriz
Manatee Chapter donates hygiene products supporting the young women at Crossnore School
Martha Stanislawski presenting donated items to State Chairman
Community Partnerships Reap Rewards
When the State Conservation project “Wands for Wildlife” was announced, Manatee Chapter’s Conservation Chair, Holly Wilson, jumped right in to collect mascara wands for Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. She collected individual mascara wands from neighbors and family members.
But the numbers escalated when we partnered with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) who embraced the project and reached out to their 80 + volunteers. The island paper published an article about the project and mascara wands came in from all over Anna Maria Island. When an AMITW volunteer brought mascara wands from a glamour salon, we reached out to other salons who donated brand new disposable wands. We then contacted the local community college and their cosmetology program donated 200 more disposable wands.
When our members heard about these sources, they also purchased brand new mascara wands adding to the total number donated……1,749!
We couldn’t have done it without these community partners.

Holly Wilson – 1749 Wands for wildlife
NSDAR National Award for Outstanding Constitution Week Leadership
given to our very own, Barbara Mills.
Constitution Displays
Manatee Chapter daughter, Madeline Rementer created for both the Central & Braden River Libraries these informative and attractive displays. They provide details on the US Constitution and encourages youngsters to read and learn about the founding of our Nation.
Constitution Essay Winners –
“What The Constitution Means to Me”
L-R 2nd Place, Lakewood Ranch; 1st Place, Braden River; 3rd Place, Lakewood Ranch; 4th Place, Bayshore; 5th Place, Manatee
Thank you Saint Joseph’s Catholic School, 2019 History Essay Award Winners
Winners representing the 6th, 7th & 8th grades.
Our 2019 Good Citizen Award winners
L-R Regent Margaret Smelser: recipients from Palmetto HS, St Stephens and Southeast HS
Chapter Members are actively engaged in Conservation efforts.
We are excited to serve as beach monitors for nesting sea turtles and provide education to hundreds of Anna Maria Island visitors.
We have established pollinator gardens, participate in Earth Day clean-up efforts, lead bird walks
and serve as bird naturalists participating in the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
Earth Day
L-R Holly Wilson, Kathy Doddridge & Suzanne Cochran
National Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Far Left: Fran Kramer Far Right: Kathy Doddridge
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch
L-R Fran Kramer, Mary Breaux, Kathy Doddridge, Julie Moore & Sharon Spry
Thank you Saint Joseph’s Catholic School! 2017 History Essay Award Winner

5th Grade – 2017 History Essay Contest Winner

6th Grade winner, 2017 History Essay Contest

7th Grade History Essay Winner – 2017
Our 2016-2017 DAR Good Citizens Award Winners

Palmetto High School Award Winner

Lakewood Ranch High School Award Winner
Our 2015-2016 DAR Good Citizens Award Winners
Our 2013-2014 DAR Good Citizens Award Winner
Our 2012-2013 DAR Good Citizens Award Winner
This student also placed third in the state competition.
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