“National Donut Day” has become a true American tradition, but many don’t realize the historical significance of the day.
On Friday, June 2, 2017 is National Donut Day. Most of us think National Donut Day is about the Donut… NOPE. It’s actually about the forgotten Heroes of WWI, WWII and Vietnam. The women, also known as the Donut Dollies or Lassies, were the volunteers for the Salvation Army that ran the social centers and provided Donuts and support to the soldiers while at war – hoping to give them a little comfort away from home and maybe brighten up their day.
IT ALL STARTED DURING THE FIRST WORLD WAR on June 7, 1938…. Dr. Morgan Pett brought 8 dozen Donuts with him to work that day and distributed one to each of his wounded soldiers to brighten their day. As “luck” would have it, one of his patients was Lieutenant General Samuel Geary, who received his donut with great appreciation. To help the great Doctor continue his efforts, the Lieutenant General started a fundraiser to make sure the donuts kept coming! This also lead to the partnership with the Salvation Army to create these huts (social centers) for the for the soldiers and as the story goes…. 250 volunteers went to France during WWI to create these centers for the soldiers and the rest is History!
The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago in 1938 to help raise funds during the Great Depression and commemorate the work of the “Donut Lassies.” The donut now serves as a symbol of all the social services The Salvation Army provides to those in need. The Salvation Army still serves doughnuts, in addition to warm meals and hydration, to those in need during times of disaster.
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