This Friday, June 6 marks the 87th annual National Donut Day, a 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.

To celebrate this year's National Donut Day, The Salvation Army is teaming up with celebrity chef, baker, star of the former hit series Cake Boss and owner of Carlo's Bakery, Buddy Valastro. 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. He will also 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," Valastro says. "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."

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.

“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," says 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."