When I read about the how this holiday started, I was touched. It seems it began way back in World War I. Morgan Pett, a military doctor, wanted to brighten the day of the wounded soldiers he worked on by giving each man a doughnut.
One such soldier was Lt. General Samuel Geary who started a fundraiser so the good doctor could continue to give doughnuts to his patients.
Then the Salvation Army connected with the fundraiser. They sent 250 volunteers to help put together huts; recording one day that served up to 300 doughnuts and 700 cups of coffee!
Because the majority of the workers were female, the Salvation Army workers started to be known as “Doughnut Dollies.”
Back home, in honor of the work created for the brave soldiers on the front line, people used ‘National Donut Day’ to raise awareness about the war, and to raise funds for the Salvation Army. This tradition to raise money for the organization still happens today.
How cool is that?
And just what does this have to do with art, you might ask? Aren’t we always looking for ideas to spark new work?
Maybe you create a painting of donuts that could hang in your local coffee shop. Heck, a whole series of small pieces that just might appeal to customers and put some dough (pun intended) into your pocket!
Here’s a couple of links to get your juices flowing from Kohl’s and Wayfair. Even Andy Warhol got in on the fun.
Here is my take.