Beyond The Glaze: Special Delivery!
Special delivery! A heartfelt delivery was made by the dedicated members of The Salvation Army's Benton Harbor Corps' Advisory Board. Every year, on the first Friday in June, people across the nation come together to celebrate National Donut Day—a delightful occasion honoring the beloved donut while paying tribute to the brave Salvation Army Donut Lassies. These remarkable women provided comfort and warmth to soldiers during the trials of World War I by serving them donuts.
The tradition of sharing donuts originated over a century ago amid the struggles of World War I, as The Salvation Army sent courageous women volunteers to France to establish field bases close to the front lines. In September 1917, these soldiers received not only essential goods but also a much-needed morale boost. The "Donut Lassies," as we now fondly remember them, offered a variety of services, including uplifting sermons, music, and sweet treats such as hot cocoa and fudge. Their mission was to brighten the soldiers' spirits and momentarily distance them from the harsh realities they faced on the battlefield.
On June 6th, 2025, our Donut Lassies took the form of our incredible advisory board. In celebration of National Donut Day, members of the Benton Harbor Advisory Board generously distributed fifty dozen donuts to local community individuals and businesses. We took this opportunity to honor some of our local businesses and first responders, delivering sweet treats to the likes of Water Street Glassworks, MLK Elementary School, Corewell Health, Berrien County Sheriff Department, Benton Township Police Department, City of Benton Harbor, Riverwood Center, Studio 807 Hair Salon, St. Joseph Public Schools Administration, Jaqua Realtors, Benton Harbor Community Development Corp., Cornerstone Alliance, Hello Beautiful Fashion Boutique, Family Physicians of St. Joseph, Harbor Country Mission, and the Berrien County Health Department. Our board is composed of local leaders and business professionals united by a vision to transform and uplift lives within our communities. With their creativity and guidance, The Salvation Army is better positioned to serve families and individuals throughout West Berrien and Van Buren Counties.
To end our joyous celebration of National Donut Day, we were further blessed by Zo's Mini Donuts, who delighted our community with fresh mini donuts in Glaze, Cinnamon Sugar, and Powdered Sugar! We lit the grill to serve brats and cold drinks. It was an excellent opportunity for us to come together as a community, savor delectable treats, and share smiles and laughter. Zo's Mini Donuts served nearly 300 donuts and donut holes, and The Salvation Army served almost 300 drinks and bratwurst. We were truly grateful for every moment!
To learn more about our exceptional board members, or if you're interested in joining our board, please visit https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/BentonHarbor/advisory-board/
