Temecula Creek Society wraps up a year of activities

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Making valentines in Feb. for first responders was one of the projects for the Temecula Creek Society of Children of the American Revolution in the 2024-25 year. Members show some of the bags of treats the valentines were added to before they were delivered to first responders in Bonsall, Fallbrook, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto and Banning. Courtesy of the Children of the American Revolution, Temecula Creek Society

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Staff reports

The Temecula Creek Society of Children of the American Revolution recently wrapped up its second year of projects and programs, including visiting with first responders and learning about ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War.

The Temecula Creek Society is a chapter of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, and the chapter’s activities during the year were related to programs promoted by the national society and the California State Society of the Children of the American Revolution.

In connection with the national society’s support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which focuses on helping first responders and veterans, members of the Temecula Creek Society joined in the fall with the Red, White and Blue Society of the Children of the American Revolution, based in San Marcos, and the Presidio Hill Society, based in San Diego, to visit two first responders.

In their visit with Capt. Eddie Jones and paramedic Richelle Stephens at North County Fire Protection District Station 5 in Bonsall, the young people learned about first responders and also discussed courage, service and honor with them, according to a news release from the Temecula Creek Society.

In February, the Temecula Creek Society met with members of the Luiseño Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution to make valentines for first responders. The valentines were added to treat bags filled with protein bars, and the bags were delivered to first responder stations, with first responders in Bonsall, Fallbrook, Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Hemet, San Jacinto and Banning receiving them, according to the news release.

The California State Society of the Children of the American Revolution supported the Shelter to Soldier nonprofit, which brings together in a training program dogs from animal shelters and veterans with emotional and physical needs. Members of the Temecula Creek Society learned about these dogs and their training from trainer Kyle Scantlin of K Daniels K-9 Academy in Murrieta.

The California State Society of the Children of the American Revolution also presented $5,000 to Shelter to Soldier, the funds raised by Children of the American Revolution chapters throughout the state, according to the news release.

The Temecula Creek Society is also focusing on America250, an initiative to engage Americans in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the July 4, 1776, signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Leading up to that anniversary, members of the Temecula Creek Society have presented America250 Minutes at their meetings. The Sons of the American Revolution instituted a program to encourage these America250 Minutes, and several members of the Temecula Creek Society have been awarded the bronze America250 Medal for their participation in the program.

In November, Temecula Creek Society members, dressed in Colonial youth naval attire, performed a skit about William Smith, the only Revolutionary War veteran known to be buried in California, according to the news release.

Smith joined the Revolutionary War at the age of 11 by signing on to a Colonial Virginia naval vessel. After the war, he became a merchant marine and a ship’s captain. He died in 1846 in Sonoma, where he was buried.

In January, members of the Temecula Creek Society learned about their ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War through a bingo game and then wrote short biographies of their ancestors. That event brought the Temecula Creek Society a second-place award in February in state contests for American heritage, for the local society with the best program, according to the news release.

The Temecula Creek Society was formed in 2023, sponsored by the Luiseño Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Membership is open to anyone 18 or younger whose parents can prove lineage to an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War.

All children are welcome to attend the society’s meetings, and the registrar will assist families in doing the required research.

For information about the Temecula Creek Society, email cindy.greer@luiseno.californiadar.org. For information about the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, go to nscar.org.