05/08/2026
Today is World Red Cross Day, and I have a story I want to share. β€οΈ
Most people have heard the term "Donut Dollies" but don't really know who these women were or what they did. During the Vietnam War, hundreds of female American Red Cross workers deployed overseas as part of the Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas program. The standards to qualify were higher than the military's β they had to be at least 25, college-educated, physically fit, and have an outstanding personality.
They weren't there to hand out donuts. They were there to remind exhausted, traumatized service members that someone gave a damn. They traveled by helicopter, truck, and jeep to reach troops in forward areas. They slept in bunkers during aerial attacks. They comforted those who had seen the horrors of war up close. And many of the troops they came to know were injured or killed. USDA
One of those women is Evans β and she is my dad's best friend from Vietnam. She has been a part of our family for as long as I can remember, and I can tell you firsthand that she is one of the most loving, supportive, and flat-out badass women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. She deserves every bit of recognition she gets and then some.
To read more about the Donut Dollies:
π https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2021/donut-dollies-supported-us-service-members-during-vietnam-war.html
To read Penni's story
π https://www.vvthenandnow.com/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAQgFglleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeduhyeh0pcXVVhm5Gyc8gU1b17QfBM9_W4ZH9k0UIvKlnbWjMFhbUn6bpxf4_aem_QkJ_ggCble9EjQjnZd4QEw
And this:
π https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122230577114057723&id=61551731717129&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=6yQqeqEyaEHc0iic
Happy World Red Cross Day to every person who has ever shown up for someone else in their darkest moment. You matter more than you know.
During the Vietnam War, hundreds of female American Red Cross workers deployed overseas to provide support to millions of U.S. service members. These women also played an important part during World War I, World War II and the Korean Conflict.