National Donut Day is June 6, 2014!

On the 70th Anniversary of the Allied Forces’ D-Day invasion of Normandy, The Salvation Army celebrates National Donut Day and honors the history of the “donut lassies” who served a little bit of home to the troops who risked their lives overseas.

The female military volunteers called “lassies” or “donut girls” fried the donuts in soldiers’ helmets during WWI and in subsequent wars, as well as provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending and home-cooked meals.

At the start they could only serve 150 doughnuts, but the next day that number doubled. As demand for the comforts of home grew, they fried up to 9,000 doughnuts daily which included deliveries to troops along the frontlines.

National Donut Day started as a fundraiser by The Salvation Army during the Great Depression to honor military veterans and commemorate the work of the “Lassies.”

While D-Day is often thought of as a pivotal moment in our nation’s history where thousands of lives were lost and an allied victory followed. This year, it also happens to coincide with a “D” of a different sort that included the military might of the “donut lassies.”

Read more about what Donut Day events are available in your area, throughout the USA Central Territory:

Northern Division

Serving Minnesota, North & South Dakota

“All my life I’ve heard about the Salvation Army ladies handing out donuts to the soldiers. I’m proud to be part of this,” said YoYo Donuts Baker Stormy Strommer. Located in Minnetonka, YoYo is just one of more than a baker’s dozen of businesses that have teamed up with The Salvation Army Northern Division to give away or offer donut discounts.

For example, for every box of eight donuts sold for $2.99 at Coborn’s and Cash Wise stores, $1 will be donated to the Salvation Army. The promotion runs from June 5-7.

The Fargo Salvation Army will open its doors with complimentary donuts from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Friday June 6 at 304 Roberts St. in Fargo.

In Rochester, National Donut Day means free donuts and coffee at the Peace Plaza downtown from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., along with a band that will play World Wars I and II era music.

Kansas & Western Missouri

In celebration of National Donut Day, everyone who visits LaMar’s Donuts in Kansas City on Friday, June 6, will get a free donut with no purchase necessary, as LaMar’s partners with the Salvation Army Kansas & Western Missouri Division in an annual fundraising campaign.

In addition, LaMar’s stores are donating a portion of sales proceeds that week to The Salvation Army’s programs that provide meals to children in need.

“The Salvation Army’s tireless mission to keep children clothed, sheltered and fed is an enduring reminder that many of our neighbors are in need,” LaMar’s COO Matt Joslin said. “LaMar’s is inviting communities we serve into our shops for free donuts and ask only that they consider donating to a praiseworthy cause.”

The free-donut offer is good for any regular donut already available. LaMar’s Bars, Bizmarks, fritters and other products made without a center hole are exempted.

LaMar’s Donuts are made fresh every morning with no artificial preservatives. Every LaMar’s product is produced by hand from start to finish, beginning with kneading of the dough to the made-from-scratch icing and glazes.

Metropolitan Division

Serving the areas of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

The Salvation Army will celebrate Donut Days on May 30 and 31, and June 6 and 7. Staff and volunteers will be at intersections and store fronts throughout the greater Chicagoland area collecting donations in exchange for a tasty Entenmann’s classic chocolate donut.

Donations collected during these two weekends help clients such as Maurice Bufford, a Vietnam veteran, who is finally sober after 41 years of drug and alcohol abuse after receiving treatment at The Salvation Army’s Harbor Light Center.

Midland Division

Serving Missouri and Southern Illinois

With generous support from Schnucks and Old Town Donuts, Salvation Army officers and volunteers from Deloitte Consulting LLC, U.S. Bank, Simmons First and The Wendt Family Foundation will personally distribute donuts to military veterans at 13 locations around the St. Louis area. Knights of Columbus assemblies and councils are also contributing to these efforts.

Adding to the celebration, Old Town is offering two (2) free donuts to any active U.S. military personnel with identification at its two locations, 508 New Florissant Road in Old Town Florissant and 3941 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville on June 6. Joining in the festivities is Dunkin Donuts, who has pledged its support by providing a free donut to anyone with the purchase of a beverage at all St. Louis-area locations, and Entemann’s Bakery is donating $1 to The Salvation Army for every person who “likes” the Entenmann’s Facebook page – up to $30,000 – until June 15. St. Louisans can be on the lookout for specially packaged Entenmann’s donuts at Schnucks, Dierbergs, Wal-Mart, and Shop ‘N’ Save to commemorate this holiday.

If you’d like to show your support without exercising your sweet tooth, visit www.STLSalvationArmy.org/donutday to aid in supporting U.S. veterans and others in need throughout the Greater St. Louis area. In addition, Salvation Army bell ringers will be at six (6) Dunkin Donuts locations from 6am-noon in Kirkwood/1208 Kirkwood Road; Rock Hill/9860 Manchester Road; Ballwin/13721 Manchester Road; South City/4220 Telegraph Road; Fairview Heights (IL)/6008 Rte 159.

Indiana Division

On Friday, June 6, 2014 The Salvation Army in Central Indiana will be celebrating National Donut Day by setting up shop on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. Starting at 6 a.m., fresh donuts and coffee will be served all morning, free of charge, from a Salvation Army canteen. We’ll be joined by Square Donuts, our generous National Donut Day sponsor. Stop by, enjoy a donut, and join us in thanking our brave “lassies” for their sweet contribution to American history.

The Evansville, Indiana Corps is also partnering with Schnuck's Markets on Friday, June 6th. For every box of donuts purchased from Schnuck's with The Salvation Army logo, proceeds from that sale will help us provide needed services to men, women and children.

Titus Bakery in Lebanon, IN is partnering with The Salvation Army of Boone County in passing out 50,000 free donut holes for National Donut Day. The bakery will have a Donut Girl on location to greet customers.

See more at: https://salvationarmyindiana.org/2014/why-national-donut-day/