Salvation Army Celebrates Community Support on Doughnut Day
During the First World War, The Salvation Army sent volunteers to the front lines to provide practical and emotional support to the brave soldiers who could use a little reminder of home. Some of these volunteers were known as the “Doughnut Lassies”. The “lassies” would prepare and serve delicious doughnuts to the troops in an effort to boost morale.
In 1938, two decades after the end of the Great War, The Salvation Army established National Doughnut Day to honour the Doughnut Lassies’ efforts. Over the years, this tradition began to expand, and it now commemorates and expresses gratitude for the work of all front-line and essential workers.
How the Army Celebrates Doughnut Day
Doughnut Day takes place on the first Friday of June. Salvation Army locations across Canada honour the day with different activities and events.
On National Doughnut Day, June 7, The Salvation Army in Calgary will host events at each of its three facilities in the city.
Volunteer hands out doughnuts in downtown Calgary
“Two things are happening at each location. One will be the distribution of doughnuts to people coming for programming. In addition, managers from each location will deliver doughnuts to first responders that are in the immediate area,” explains Public Relations Officer, Ian McKenzie. “They certainly are a part of the community, and this is just a way of saying a big thank you to them for the work that they do throughout the year.”
Ian has witnessed the vital role of the police, fire department, and emergency responders during his previous tenure with The Salvation Army in Whitehorse.
“There were times when we depended on the services of emergency response from the paramedics when people ran into issues,” Ian shares.
Back then, Ian would also take part in the distribution of doughnuts to first responders.
“We felt their importance and we wanted to say thank you in a small way to those groups for support in those times that we needed them.”
By Juan Romero