OSWEGO – The first Friday in June is America’s sweetest holiday — National Donut Day. Celebrated on June 6 this year, The Salvation Army is, in fact, the inspiration behind its founding and why it is still celebrated today.
In Oswego, The Salvation Army has a direct connection with the history of Donut Day. In 1917, volunteers from The Salvation Army traveled to France during World War I to bring critical supplies and provide meaningful spiritual and emotional support to the soldiers on the front lines.
On August 1, 1917, Ensign Helen Purviance, who was serving as the commanding officer of The Salvation Army in Oswego, received a telegram asking, “Are you willing [to] go [to] France in ten days [for] war work?”
She responded, “Yes” and, along with Margaret Sheldon, came up with the idea of serving donuts to U.S. troops during World War I. Once the idea took off, “Donut Lassies” were making and serving more than 9,000 donuts every single day until the war came to an end.
In 1938, The Salvation Army celebrated the first National Donut Day in Chicago as a fundraiser to help those in need during the Great Depression and to commemorate the work of the Donut Lassies, who brought much-needed hope in a time of darkness.
“National Donut Day is a special holiday for us and serves as a reminder of the work we do every day for the good of our neighbors,” said Lieutenant Michael Dow of The Salvation Army of Oswego. “We are proud to honor the history of The Salvation Army and, the Donut Lassies, and especially our very own Helen Purviance.”
Join The Salvation Army of Oswego, this Thursday, June 5, as they will be handing out Donuts to various community members in honor of National Donut Day. Thank you to Ontario Orchards, which will generously be providing donuts.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 23 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is Doing the Most Good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit Easternusa.Salvationarmy.org/empire. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/salvationarmyempirestate, and on Twitter @SalArmyEmpire and #DoingTheMostGood.
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