Edie Crall (left) received the DAR Community Service Award from Peggy Schaller, Regent of the DAR El Presidio Chapter
Janet Knowles
Mrs. Edie Crall of SaddleBrooke, Ariz., was recently honored by Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) for her dedicated service to children in the Oracle School District. Mrs. Crall accepted the DAR Community Service Award on Nov. 13 at a meeting of the DAR El Presidio Chapter, held at the Sun City Oro Valley Community Center.
Mrs. Crall became involved with Mountain Vista School in 2018 while promoting passage of a capital bond issue to modernize the school property. In 2020 she was seated on the Oracle School District Governing Board and is serving as president for 2025.
“I monitored board meetings prior to being seated and saw that many students rely upon breakfasts and lunches while school is in session but have insecurity during the 15 days of winter break when school is not in session. Kids can’t learn if they are hungry and concerned about where their next meal comes from,” she said
What began as a “grass-roots effort” in SaddleBrooke six years ago seeking non-perishable food for distribution has become a bigger effort, which includes SaddleBrooke, SaddleBrooke Ranch, Eagle Crest, and Oracle as points for donation drop-offs. Fueling the Future has assisted hundreds of students in need of nutritional support over winter break, and this year it will assist 50 more.
Crystle Nehrmeyer, superintendent of Oracle School District, stated, “Mrs. Crall is the visionary behind Fueling the Future. She developed, organized, and continues to lead this vital program entirely as a volunteer. Under her leadership, Fueling the Future has grown to serve hundreds of children and families each year, reducing food insecurity and bringing comfort and dignity to those in need. Beyond her work with Fueling the Future, Mrs. Crall contributes countless hours to improving the lives of students and residents in the Oracle community. She is exactly the kind of citizen-leader whose selflessness uplifts others and strengthens the bonds that hold communities together.”
Daughters of the American Revolution established the Community Service Award to recognize “a contribution to the community in an outstanding manner through voluntary heroic, civic, benevolent service, or by organizing or participating in community activities.” It can be presented to anyone in the community, whether or not they are a member of DAR, as long as their work is unrelated to any DAR programs.
DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education. Membership is open to any woman above the age of 18, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove their lineal descent from patriots of the American Revolution. Visit dar.org for information.
To donate non-perishable foods to Fueling the Future, contact Edie Crall at ediecrall@me.com or call 520-404-1005.