The Salvation Army and Mavericks Donuts Celebrate National  Doughnut Day!

by Caroline Franks
Categories: Divisional News
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The Salvation Army in partnership with Mavericks Donuts is celebrating National Doughnut Day on June 4th, 2021 by delivering doughnuts to frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in communities across Ontario.

National Doughnut Day started in 1938 as a fundraiser for The Salvation Army and an opportunity to honour The Salvation Army “Lassies” of World War 1, who served doughnuts to soldiers. On the frontlines, The Salvation Army served enlisted men with baked goods, provided them with writing supplies and stamps, and also clothes-mending services.

The Salvation Army, in partnership with Mavericks Donuts, will be bringing doughnuts to essential services and frontline workers including hospitals, vaccination clinics, long-term care homes, shelters and first responders in Ottawa, Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington and London.

“The Salvation Army has always been an organization that offers unconditional support and compassion for those most in need,” said Geoff Vivian, owner of Mavericks Donuts in Ottawa.

“It seems fitting that The Salvation Army is distributing doughnuts to frontline workers as they did over a 100 years ago on the frontlines of World War 1. It’s an honour to promote my doughnuts by partnering with The Salvation Army on National Doughnut Day.”

The Salvation Army is also very appreciative of Highlight Motor Group who is offering their services to transport the doughnuts to the Toronto area from Ottawa Mavericks Donuts shop in their refrigerated trucks.

“The entire family and I at Highlight Motor Group are thrilled to support The Salvation Army’s National Doughnut Day campaign,” said Kirk Kalinitchenko, President and CEO of Highlight Motor Group. “It’s an honour to participate in this fun, annual tradition which showcases our support of the heroes on the frontlines helping those in need each and every day. We are so grateful for the frontline workers who have been guiding our communities through these challenging times and we look forward to sharing our appreciation and helping raise awareness of their tireless efforts.”

The Salvation Army in Thunder Bay will also be distributing doughnuts from the new local business, Mini Donut Shop to the Thunder Bay District Health Unit as a thank you to their staff for all their efforts throughout this pandemic.  The Mini Donut Shop’s mobile doughnut van will be parked outside The Salvation Army through out National Doughnut Day, and they will be making a donation from sales of doughnuts on June 4th back to The Salvation Army.

The delivery of doughnuts to frontline workers during the pandemic mirrors the work of the ‘Doughnut Lassies” bringing doughnuts to soldiers on the frontlines of WW1. The Salvation Army is continuing to serve on the front lines and support the most vulnerable.  The doughnut now serves as a symbol of all the social services The Salvation Army provides to those in need, including nutritious meals, practical assistance and emotional support during times of disaster and crises.

“On this National Doughnut Day, we would like to offer our appreciation for all frontline workers in Ontario by bringing some doughnuts and a smile,” said Glenn van Gulik, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations in The Salvation Army Ontario Division.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous community support that also allows us to bring hope to individuals and communities throughout Ontario every day.”

To provide financial support to The Salvation Army, donations can be made online at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, where donations can also be directed to a specific program or location.