Donuts, Dedication, and Doing the Most Good: Donut Day 2025 Recap
There’s nothing quite like a fresh donut to bring people together—and this Donut Day, The Salvation Army of Greater Chattanooga did just that. With a mission rooted in service and a celebration sprinkled with joy, we honored the legacy of the WWI Donut Lassies and brought that same spirit of kindness to our own communities.
At the heart of it all was our incredible 14-year partnership with Tasty Donuts. Their generosity and community spirit were on full display at our live event in Ooltewah, where families enjoyed face painting, stickers, coloring books, and bottled water—all while learning about the original Lassies who fried donuts in soldiers’ helmets during World War I. A special thank you to Tony McInnis, AJ McInnis, and the dedicated teams at both Tasty Donuts locations. Your $5-off dozens deal and open-hearted support helped make the day a truly sweet success.
We started strong in Tiftonia and Dade County, where Advisory Board Member Sharon Finley delivered donuts to public service organizations with smiles and sincere thanks.
In Cleveland, Sgt. Ruthie Forgey and her team hosted a drive-thru donut giveaway at WCLE Mix 104.1, made possible by the delicious offerings from Town House Bakery. The line was long, the coffee was hot, and the gratitude was real.
Back in Chattanooga, Kendall Hudson and Major McClure visited Local 3, WDEF News 12, Channel 9 News, and the Chattanooga Times Free Press, delivering donuts and Media Appreciation Awards to honor their partnership and storytelling.
To our staff, auxiliary members, and board members—thank you. Your service is the secret ingredient in everything we do.
Donut Day isn’t just about donuts—it’s about community, connection, and celebrating the little things that make a big difference.