August marks our annual fall workshops, and last weekend we were treated to the West and Middle TN locations. West TN has been at the same location in Jackson for several years now, and it is a wonderful location for our size and classroom needs. The only drawback is that with Sunday services, the church only allows us to conduct our workshops there on Fridays. Even with a Friday slot, we had a fantastic turnout this year. We were excited to debut the new State Regent Project items and the Juniors did a great job with product selection and set up to reflect both state and national themes. Sales were so great at the President General's Project table that State Co-Chair Judy Chaffin ran out of items by the beginning of the morning session, and we weren't able to snap a shot.
Saturday found us at back in Murfreesboro at a church we had used several times in previous administrations. A new addition to the side of the fellowship hall allowed for us to have over 400 during the Middle TN event. I was thrilled to have 5 of our 6 Honorary State Regents with us for this event as well.
Members turned out to hear the fantastic sessions that were provided at both locations and our members were generous not only with their time but with their donations. The NSDAR promoted project Operation Dress the Barracks collected 6,072 laundry pods and 202 sets of twin sheets, which along with shipped items will fulfill the current need. If you have already purchased items for the upcoming workshop please go ahead and bring them as Fort Campbell will store the additional items until the next set of troops return home.
We also had a wonderful set of donations for our new Service to America Blessing Bag Project. Our daughters went above and beyond to donate 201 bags at the West and Middle TN locations. Bags collected in West TN and Middle TN will be distributed to children in those areas, and bags that come in for East TN will remain in that part of the state as well. Due to various needs and ages of foster children, both empty bags for those being removed as well as bags with items are needed for this ongoing project as every child has a different set of circumstances leading to the removal. The main goal is to be sure that children leave their homes with dignity and not a garbage bag, and we are well on the way to seeing that will happen across our state.
Many thanks go out to State Second Vice Regent Carol Teeters and her West and Middle TN District Officers, Chickasaw District Director Marjorie Green and District Secretary Beth Bates, Cumberland District Director Summer Morris and District Secretary Jocelynne McCall, and Sequoyah District Director Karen Hudson and District Secretary Emily Dryden, for the wonderful workshops. It takes time and energy to put these together and the state society is grateful for their efforts. We will see you Saturday in East Tennessee!
In Service,
Cecile
