Offering Thanks and Raising Funds on Donut Day
On Friday, June 7, Salvation Army corps throughout the greater Chicago area had a hole lot of fun celebrating National Donut Day!
Several Army staff went to Hines VA Hospital to pass out delicious Clyde’s donuts to veterans, their family members and the doctors and staff who care for them. An Army brass quartet accompanied the group, playing patriotic songs that delighted hospital guests.
Two Army staff members were dressed as Donut Lassies, the women who started the donut love back in World War I. These gutsy gals went to support the U.S. soldiers fighting in France, offering clothes, supplies and the baked goods for which they became known.
The Army’s Chicago Metropolitan Division also hosted several contests and fundraisers to support the Army’s extensive work to help our neighbors in need.
In Des Plaines, contestants gathered at the Shop & Save Market for an exciting donut-eating contest. Steve Samuelson from the Fresbie Senior Center, who was representing a local rotary club, won the contest in sudden death. He and Steve Pokrak from Millennium Bank each ate 12 donuts in the five-minute contest limit. To break the tie, the Steves battled to see who could eat one additional donut first. Proceeds from the contest will support needed services and programming in Chicago’s northwest suburbs.
In Joliet, Salvation Army officers and staff gathered at local favorite Home Cut Donuts, which offered a free donut to anyone who made a donation to The Salvation Army. Proceeds from the fundraiser – about $800 – will benefit the summer day camp program for Joliet kids ages 5-14.
In St. Charles, competitors convened at the Blue Goose Market to vie for an award in three categories: Most Donuts Eaten (within the five-minute timeframe), People’s Choice (for the contestant who raised the most money online), and Nothing But Dough (for the contestant who raised the most money during the contest). Local police and fire departments each had a team competing, and firefighter/paramedic Steve Siwy edged out Deputy Police Chief Steve Bedell by one donut, eating eight to win the competition. John from the Tri Cities Exchange Club won the award for bringing in the most donations.
In Winnebago County, the contest commenced at The Salvation Army Family Store in Rockford. Like St. Charles, competitors in Rockford duked it out in three categories. Most Donuts Eaten (within the five-minute timeframe) and People’s Choice (for the contestant who raised the most money online) both went to Gordon Mays, a local DJ. Major Mark Martsolf won the Nothing But Dough Award for raising the most money during the contest. Funds from the contest will support the Salvation Army’s Friday Night Patrol, which provides food and hygiene products for the homeless.
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