“Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro Teams Up With The Salvation Army for National Donut Day Celebration

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — This Friday, June 6, marks the 87th annual National Donut Day, an extra sweet holiday celebrated across the nation on the first Friday of every June. Established by The Salvation Army, the tradition was created to honor the organization’s volunteers — known as “Donut Lassies” — who provided care and served donuts to soldiers during World War I. Today, National Donut Day remains a time to reflect on the Donut Lassies’ selfless acts of service and a time to recognize veterans’ bravery.

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To celebrate this year’s National Donut Day, The Salvation Army is teaming up with celebrity chef and baker Buddy Valastro — star of the former hit series “Cake Boss” and owner of Carlo’s Bakery. Through this partnership, Valastro will pay tribute to veterans by raising awareness about the history of the holiday and distributing donuts at a Veterans Affairs hospital in New York City. For added sweetness and to recognize his work with The Salvation Army this National Donut Day, Valastro will debut donuts at three of his New York-area bakeries, with a full rollout planned for 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.”

Additionally, to honor this historic day, The Salvation Army is organizing events in local communities, including:

• 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.

The history behind National Donut Day dates back to 1917, when Salvation Army volunteer officers traveled to France to set up field bases near the front lines of World War I. In makeshift huts, these officers, who became known as Donut Lassies, provided soldiers with vital supplies, spiritual and emotional support, and, of course, freshly fried donuts. These sweet treats became a symbol of comfort and a morale booster for soldiers, and the Donut Lassies are often credited with popularizing the donut in the United States when the troops returned home. The Salvation Army of Chicago created the holiday in 1938 as a way to recognize the work the Donut Lassies did and to raise funds to help those in need during the Great Depression.

National Donut Day is a time to remember the lasting impact of a unique piece of history and to honor the heroic men and women who have served our country,” said Commissioner Merle Heatwole, national commander of The Salvation Army. “Their courage and dedication to serving others reflect the heart of our mission and continue to inspire the work we do every day in communities across the country.”

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

About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 27 million people in America overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships by preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and meeting human needs in His name without discrimination in nearly every ZIP code. By providing food, shelter, eviction prevention assistance, emergency disaster relief, rehabilitation, after-school and summer youth programs, spiritual enrichment, and more, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 6,400 centers of operation around the country. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org.

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SOURCE The Salvation Army