Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Salvation Army will take part in Friday’s 78th Annual Donut Day, a worldwide event.  It will be celebrated at the Peace Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Free donuts, bottled water and hot coffee will be served from the Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Response mobile kitchen, while supplies last.

All visitors will have an opportunity to learn more about and support the current Bed & Bread Club® Campaign that focuses on local housing and food issues.

Rochester Mayor Ardell Brede will recognize this year’s 150th worldwide celebration of service by the local corps of the international organization. Live music will fill the plaza beginning at 11 a.m. featuring local musicians volunteering in the spirit of The Salvation Army. The band will play favorite tunes contemporary to WWI and WWII.

Alixandra Biwer, 2015 USA National Miss Minnesota and Miss Minnesota American Beauty, will make an appearance as a volunteer emcee.

Donut Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday in June, originated by The Salvation Army in 1938. The day commemorates how the Salvation Army made and distributed donuts to troops stationed in France during WWI. Female volunteers, originally called “donut lassies,” provided writing supplies, stamps, clothes-mending, home-cooked meals, and, of course, donuts for soldiers on the front lines.

Friday’s donuts are generously donated by Gingerbread House Bakery, VFW Post 1215 and Hy-Vee.

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