The Salvation Army women who served donuts to the troops fried them in soldiers' helmets. They were known as "Donut Lassies" and are credited with popularising donuts in the United States. National Doughnut Day is now celebrated on the first Friday of June every year, starting in Chicago of 1938, to honour those who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War l. As of 23 October 2016 the Salvation Army operates in 128 countries and provides services in 175 different languages. For administrative purposes, the Salvation Army divides itself geographically into 5 zones and the "zonal departments" at International Headquarters in London, United
The Salvation Army claimed that the toys were destroyed instead of being given to other agencies. The volunteer also criticised the Salvation Army for accepting violence-themed toys such as plastic rifles while not accepting Harry Potter or Twilight toys. A Salvation Army captain said that the toys were given to other organisations, not disposed of. This policy is however, not universal, as the Wetaskiwin chapter of the Salvation Army has accepted Harry Potter toys. One captain called the series "a classic story of good winning over evil". Also during the 2010 Christmas season, the Salvation Army in Vancouver, BC, came under fire for