Saying “Thanks” With A Donut

First Responders and Healthcare workers are regularly faced with long, grueling hours, time spent away from family and managing a difficult and often emotionally-gut-wrenching job. Factor in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges multiply exponentially. 

We can never pay back the efforts and sacrifices all these hard workers have made – and continue to make — for us, but The Salvation Army of Broward County and Dunkin’ have paired up to try. “We are thrilled to have the local support of Dunkin’ who is, again, generously supplying sweet treats to honor those putting their lives on the line for the greater good,” said Major Stephen Long, area commander for The Salvation Army of Broward County. “The last year has been a most challenging time for all of us and we are grateful to those who helped unite and continue to heal our community.”

While most of us do not need an excuse to indulge in a doughnut, we can give thanks to The Salvation Army for the holiday (and the treat!) to come about. National Donut Day was first celebrated in 1938 in Chicago in honor of the work The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” did during World War I. The women were sent to France in 1917 where they set up field bases near the front lines that served as places where soldiers could stock up on essential supplies as well as snag a sweet treat provided by them. When it became apparent that baking was going to be difficult to continue during wartime, two volunteers — Ensign Margaret Sheldon and Adjutant Helen Purviance — began frying doughnuts in soldiers’ helmets. Their work brought a light of hope and happiness to the battlefield — a much-needed boost for soldiers who had been there for ages. 

The “Donut Lassies” are now often credited with popularizing the doughnut in the United States when the troops (commonly known as “doughboys”) came back from fighting in Europe. Over a hundred years later, The Salvation Army is still serving on the front lines, now through a wide range of social services for the most vulnerable Americans.

The women also provided fresh doughnuts and hot coffee to soldiers fighting in the trenches in order to raise their spirits and thank them for their service. The popular treat now serves as a symbol of the services and comfort The Salvation Army provides to more than 23 million people each year. 

“From the start of the pandemic, we at Dunkin’ have been proud to keep America running by supporting heroes on the frontlines of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response. National Donut Day is a tradition we’re delighted to take part in every year, especially now,” said Erica Roomy, integrated marketing manager, Dunkin’. “It’s an honor to work together with The Salvation Army of Broward County to celebrate our hometown heroes during these trying times.”

To commemorate National Donut Day’s historic roots and to demonstrate the impact of a small token of kindness, The Salvation Army of Broward County will make special deliveries to Broward Health Medical Center, Kindred Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Police and Fire Rescue Departments and Stations in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Wilton Manors, Hollywood, Sunrise and more.

For more information, click here.