Pastor Bill Beck and Librarian Sarah Trumpp honored for recovery efforts after devastating January fire
From the Catherine Schuyler Chapter, pictured is Beck and Trumpp
October is the month that the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) celebrates their founding and those in our communities doing unpaid, volunteer service. The DAR, founded October 11, 1890, is one of the largest women’s service organizations in the country. On DAR Day of Service, October 11, 2025, members of the Catherine Schuyler Chapter NSDAR, gave back to their communities in several ways-primarily by sending treats and goodies to someone their hometown first responders, but also by choosing that date as their semi-annual roadside clean-up of a section of State Route 244.
Taking the desire to promote and recognize service even further, at the Chapter’s regular monthly meeting, held October 16 at the Friendship American Legion, two leaders in the Friendship community were awarded DAR Community Service Awards. A Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award can be awarded by a chapter twice (or to two persons) annually. It recognizes a person or organization that has contributed to the community in an outstanding manner. This can be through voluntary heroic, civic, or benevolent service, or by organizing or participating in community activities.
Read John Anderson’s reporting on the January inferno:
Sarah Trumpp, Friendship Free Library librarian, and Bill Beck, senior pastor at the United Church of Friendship were recognized for their rapid response and organization of community resources after a devasting fire early in January 2025 displaced and unhoused 7 families.
In letters of recommendation, the neighborly compassion and community dedication of both Ms. Trumpp and Pastor Beck was apparent. The library basement and the church were immediately opened to collect and gather donations, and to distribute them to those in need. As monetary donations rolled in, a dedicated bank account was opened and managed by both organizations. Guided by these two community leaders, the outpouring of care from communities around the county and further allowed each family to receive $5500 toward a new beginning and especially gave the displaced the knowledge that they were not alone.
