Buddy Valastro Celebrates National Donut Day with Salvation Army

This Friday, June 6, is the 87th National Donut Day, a delicious event observed annually on the first Friday of June across the nation.

This custom was established by the Salvation Army to remember the “Donut Lassies,” volunteers who assisted and fed soldiers during World War I.

Celebrity chef and baker Buddy Valastro 

In honor of this year’s National Donut Day, The Salvation Army is joining forces with Buddy Valastro, a famous chef and baker known for his show “Cake Boss” and his bakery, Carlo’s Bakery.

Honoring our soldiers

These days, National Donut Day is a time to honor our soldiers’ bravery and reflect on the incredible service provided by the Donut Lassies.

Together, Valastro and The Salvation Army will honor veterans by sharing the story behind this holiday and giving out donuts at a Veterans Affairs hospital in New York City.

Special donuts

Valastro will introduce special donuts at three New York bakeries to celebrate his collaboration with The Salvation Army on National Donut Day, with plans for a wider release this fall.

“I’m very excited to be with The Salvation Army this Donut Day and use my passion for baking to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans — including my own brother-in-law, Joe Faugno,” said Valastro. “The strength and commitment of Joe and the millions of American veterans like him truly inspire me, and I admire the work The Salvation Army does to support them and their families.”

Community events to commemorate the day

• Aurora, Colorado — The Salvation Army will distribute donuts at the VA Hospital and to the Aurora Police Department.
• Dallas, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys will join The Salvation Army to distribute donuts to local veterans at Carr P. Collins Social Service Center, the largest Salvation Army multiuse facility in North Texas.
• Evansville, Indiana — The Evansville Wartime Museum is hosting a special exhibit from The Salvation Army Central Territory Museum about the Donut Lassies, available for the community to view through June 16.
• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — The Salvation Army will partner with Giant Eagle stores for donut deals and giveaways. Additionally, Pittsburgh McDonald’s Owner Operators, in partnership with Krispy Kreme, will provide donuts and McCafé® coffee to veterans and staff at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
• San Diego, California — BakeMark is partnering with The Salvation Army to host its annual Donut Festival aboard the historic USS Midway Museum.
• Santa Monica, California — With support from Lionsgate, The Salvation Army will host a pop-up event on the Promenade, distributing donuts, mini donut squishes, keychains, and more.
• Washington, D.C. — The Salvation Army and BakeMark will host the National Donut Day World Donut Eating Championship.

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National Donut Day originated in 1917

National Donut Day originated in 1917 when Salvation Army volunteers, known as Donut Lassies, established field bases near World War I front lines in France.

These officers provided soldiers with supplies, spiritual support, and fried donuts, popularizing the donut in the US.

The holiday was created in 1938 to honor their efforts.

The Donut Lassies’ original recipe

Visit https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/national-donut-day/ to join The Salvation Army in celebrating National Donut Day, learn more facts, and view the original recipe of Donut Lassies.

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