Salvation Army Hawaiʻi County spreads a little sweetness, lots of appreciation on National Donut Day

The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division and The Salvation Army Hawaiʻi County recently helped make several special sweet glazed, chocolate-covered and frosted deliveries — even some with sprinkles or crushed nuts on top, but all with plenty of aloha filling — to men and women throughout the state who selflessly serve others in their communities.

First responders, veterans, active duty service members, hospital staff and other community caregivers and public servants were treated to those familiar ring pastries — famously missing their centers — with a variety of toppings and fillings in celebration of National Donut Day.

Local Salvation Army corps officers and volunteers on three islands brought dozens upon dozens of donuts on various days leading up to and on the day of this year’s observance, treating people who are making a positive difference in their communities.

Community donut shops and bakeries also rallied to bolster the nonprofit’s efforts, with KTA Super Stores on Hawaiʻi Island donating delicious donut deliveries.

The Salvation Army Hawaiʻi County on Friday, June 5, delivered hundreds of donuts to organizations and agencies around the Big Island, including Hawaiʻi Police Department and Hawaiʻi Fire Department in Hilo, United Service Organization Hawaiʻi at Pōhakuloa Training Center and several others such as Hilo Benioff Medical Center and Hawaiʻi County.

The tasty treats were given to first responders, healthcare workers, military personnel, emergency management teams, government employees, veterans and many others who serve the communities around Hawaiʻi Island.

“From Hilo to Kona, from Puna to Waimea, our teams spent the day sharing a simple thank you and expressing our appreciation for those who work tirelessly to keep our island safe, healthy and strong,” wrote The Salvation Army Hawai‘i County in a Friday, June 5, Facebook post accompanied by photos showing scenes from the day’s festivities.

National Donut Day is traditionally observed each year on the first Friday of June.

Its origins are traced back to The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies,” with the annual observance initiated in 1938 by the nonprofit as a way to remember the legacy of those brave women who risked their lives to provide soldiers with a taste of home by delivering freshly made donuts to frontline troops during World Wars I and II.

“More than a century later, we continue that tradition by recognizing those who faithfully serve others,” wrote The Salvation Army Hawai‘i County in its National Donut Day post.

The annual observance still draws on inspiration from the Lassies to help honor those who serve their communities and bring joy to often unsung neighborhood heroes.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with so many dedicated agencies and organizations throughout Hawai‘i County. Thank you for your commitment, sacrifice and service to our island communities,” wrote The Salvation Army Hawai‘i County in its post. “It was a joy to spread a little sweetness and a lot of appreciation throughout Hawai‘i Island.