National Doughnut Day

I'd never heard of National Doughnut Day until last year. At least, that was the first year that I remember hearing about it. If I knew about it before then, then I've forgotten about it! My sweet friend Kellie brought my mom and me each a doughnut when she came over this morning. She knows that I like cake doughnuts, so that's what she picked out for me. I do love cake doughnuts, and if they are chocolate, then that's even better. Add sprinkles, and it takes a doughnut straight to the top! Sprinkle doughnuts have always been my favorite since I was a little girl.

In order to satisfy my curiosity, I turned to the Internet to look up the origin of National Doughnut Day. This is what I learned in a TIME article:

During World War I, women volunteering for the Salvation Army made doughnuts for soldiers serving overseas as a way to boost morale. National Doughnut Day was launched in 1938 by the Chicago branch of the Salvation Army, in part as a way to raise funds for, and awareness of, the organization’s work in the community. But the spirit behind the day was the recognition of these women’s contribution to the war effort.

Salvation Army volunteer delivering doughnuts to soldiers. These workers became known by the servicemen as "Doughnut Dollies":