Polly Cooper Chapter, DAR Honors Two Girl Scout Gold Award Recipients for Outstanding Community Service

Scarsdale, NY — March 23, 2026 — The Polly Cooper Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution proudly honored two exceptional Girl Scouts for earning the prestigious Gold Award and for their meaningful contributions to the community. The recognition ceremony took place at the Scarsdale Girl Scout House.

Alana K., a Yonkers Girl Scout, dedicated her Gold Award project to raising awareness of Gold Star Mothers and their families, as well as the monuments across the country that honor their service and sacrifice. Yashica B., a Juliette Scout from Scarsdale/Edgemont, developed a comprehensive website to help Westchester County veterans easily access information on benefits, programs, and services.

Alison Bergman, founder of Operation Cookie Drop—an initiative that provides Girl Scout cookies to active-duty military members and veterans—provided letters of recommendation for both honorees. “As I have worked with both girls on their Gold Award projects and witnessed their focus and dedication, they were an easy recommendation to the Community Service Committee of this Chappaqua-based DAR chapter,” Bergman shared.

The DAR Community Service Award recognizes individuals for outstanding voluntary service in cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, or conservation fields. The Polly Cooper Chapter is especially committed to honoring veterans as part of its mission of patriotism and was proud to present this award to two young women whose projects directly support and uplift the veteran community.

Both recipients spoke passionately about their work, and DAR members ensured the occasion reflected the significance of their achievements. Their efforts not only improve access to resources for veterans but also bring greater awareness to the sacrifices of Gold Star Mothers.

Special thanks were extended to Kim C. Wyatt-McCrea and Judy Carey for making the award presentation especially memorable.

Also in attendance were April Kao Stiller, Yonkers Girl Scout Service Unit Manager, and Dr. Kari Dougherty Rockwell, CEO of Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, who joined in celebrating these remarkable young women and their impactful Gold Award projects.

To learn more about the Polly Cooper Chapter’s activities or to inquire about membership, please email info@pollycooperdar.org.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), a nonprofit, nonpolitical women’s service organization, was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. With approximately 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR remains one of the largest and most active volunteer service organizations. To learn more about Today’s DAR, visit dar.org.
As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding—now is the perfect time to discover whether you have an American Revolutionary War Patriot in your family and to help preserve the symbols that tell our nation’s story.