03/19/2024
𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘁 𝗗𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀?
During World War II, female Red Cross volunteers operated clubmobiles equipped with a kitchen area and a donut-making machine. They traveled with the rear echelon units and visited soldiers, played music, and served coffee and donuts.
In the Korean War, they earned the nickname “Donut Dollies” by turning out up to 20,000 donuts a day for American soldiers. In Vietnam, they visited combat troops at remote fire bases, bringing smiles, songs, games, and a touch of home to the troops.
Over 600 Donut Dollies responded to the Red Cross’s ads seeking qualified young women who were willing to serve one year overseas. They had to be at least 21, have a college education, and have that “girl next door” look. After only two weeks of training in Washington, D.C., the women packed off for Vietnam where they set up recreation centers, conducted recreation programs in the field for troops who couldn’t visit the centers and they also visited hospitals.
