Published: June 18, 2008 10:36 am         

CAR chapter members earn awards at state conference

The Weaver family of Shipshewana attended the 81st Annual Indiana State Conference of the Children of the American Revolution in Indianapolis.

Their society, Jacob Leer, won 14 first place and seven second place awards for state contests.

The Weaver family also traveled to Washington, D.C., for the national conference. At nationals Steven, 17, won first place for a patriotic poem he wrote and Hannah, 11, won first place for her written prayer .

The CAR was founded in 1895 and provides patriotic education and leadership training opportunities for children. CAR members are direct descendants of a Revolutionary War patriot.

This year Steven is the state president for Indiana. His state project is raising money for a school sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution in South Carolina. Anyone interested in having Steven speak to a group may contact him at (260) 768-4328.

The CAR sponsor is the William Tuffs Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution in Elkhart.

Jacob Leer is the name of the local society. It is named after a war patriot buried in Elkhart County. The local CAR has members from Shipshewana, South Bend, Albion and Churubusco. There are 15 members, with five waiting for approval of their applications. CAR membership is for young people from birth to age 22 for girls, when they can move to the DAR. The boys age out at 18 and can join the Sons of the American Revolution.