The John Hogg, Sr. Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently honored two individuals with the DAR Community Service Award. 

These generous volunteers have given so much to Hawkins/Holly Lake, Quitman and surrounding towns, and DAR is proud to recognize them for their service.

Robert Kraemer, a resident of Alba, has worked tirelessly for the Wood County Child Welfare and Protection Board (on the board and as a devoted worker at the Rainbow Room and now manager). 

Kraemer also volunteers for APET, the Pilot Club, the City of Alba and many other areas of need in Wood County. He has worked countless hours on many projects for these organizations. A reserved person, Bob prefers to remain “behind the scenes” while achieving amazing outcomes. 

Cheryl Thomas has been a volunteer health service lead for the American Red Cross for 27 years, the last 10 in East Texas. She has assisted countless individuals on the 82 national disasters she has worked. In addition to her thousands of volunteer hours with the Red Cross, Thomas is the captain on the medical rescue truck for the Holly Lake Volunteer Fire Department and teaches CPR classes to the firefighters. 

Through the giving of no more than two community service awards per year, a DAR chapter is able to recognize unpaid voluntary community service of individuals and organizations.

Nomination is made by the chapter to the state chair of the Community Service Awards Committee, who administers the award process. The recipient must have contributed to the community in an outstanding manner through cultural, educational, humanitarian, patriotic, historical, citizenship or environmental conservation endeavors or by organizing or participating in community activities.