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National Donut Day Facts

National Donut Day Facts
During World War I Salvation Army volunteers named 'lassies' were sent to the front lines to serve baked goods to troops as a way to boost morale. The Salvation Army sent approximately 250 of these 'lassies' to France and due to the difficulty in baking on the front lines, donuts were chosen as the fresh treat. The volunteer 'lassies' were soon nicknamed 'Doughnut Dollies'. The first National Doughnut Day was established by the Salvation Army in 1938 to raise money during the Great Depression to help feed the needy. Today, National Donut Day is observed on the first Friday in June each year in the United States, although there are a few donut shops in Canada that also take part in the tradition of giving away free donuts on Donut Day.
Interesting National Donut Day Facts:
When the Salvation Army huts were opened up on the front lines of World War I to provide baked goods to soldiers they became popular instantly.
One of the Salvation Army volunteers named Margaret Sheldon wrote about one day in the Salvation Army hut that she had baked 22 pies, made 700 cups of coffee, and made 300 donuts.
Donuts handed out during World War I were often fried in oil, and American soldier's helmets were used as the cooking pot as they could hold the high heat of the hot oil. Seven donuts could be fried at a time in a helmet.
National Donut Day was established to honor the volunteers who served during World War I, serving soldiers donuts and other treats to help keep their morale up.
The 'first donut girl' is considered to be Lt. Colonel Helen Purviance.
On National Donut Day it is common for coffee shops to hand out free donuts.
National Donut Day is also used as a day to raise money for charities such as the Salvation Army. Many of the free donuts given out by restaurants and coffee shops come with the hope that you will make a donation.
Donut is just the shortened word for doughnut. The spelling of both words is correct, and National Donut Day is also spelled National Doughnut Day depending on who writes it.
The term 'doughboy' has been used to describe soldiers in World War I, but the term was used as far back as 1846 during the Mexican-American War.
National Donut Day in Chicago is still used as an opportunity to raise money for the Salvation Army.
During World War II volunteers from the Red Cross distributed donuts to soldiers and were also referred to as 'Doughnut Dollies'.
The 'lassies' that volunteered with the Salvation Army during World War I also distributed home cooked meals, writing paper, envelopes, stamps, writing instruments to the soldiers. They also mended clothing when needed.
American POWs being held in Son Tay prison camp managed to trick their North Vietnamese captors into getting them donuts. They told them it was the United States Marine Corp birthday and donuts were used to honor the occasion.
Other donut day holidays include International Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day on June 8th, Buy a Doughnut Day on October 30th, and National Cream-Filled Doughnut Day on September 14th.


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