In April 1917, when America entered World War I, the Salvation Army immediately looked for ways they could support the soldiers who were fighting on the front. Evangeline Booth, the National Commander for the Salvation Army, sent 11 young ladies to France to support and uplift the soldiers there. They set up rest stations, hostels and support huts wherever the soldiers were fighting–some of them right on the front lines, where they were in danger of bombshells and poisonous mustard gas.
By October there were many more Salvation Army officers stationed in France. Ensigns Helen Purviance and Margaret Sheldon were two of them. When they saw the despair and homesickness of the soldiers, these two women decided to do what they could to lift the soldier’s spirits with a special treat from home.
They had flour, sugar, lard, baking powder and cinnamon, so they decided to make doughnuts. They had to shape them by hand, and could only fry 7 at a time in the one small pan they had. The smell of frying doughnuts quickly began to spread through the camp and the soldiers stood eagerly in the rain to get their doughnut. That first day, though the two women worked into the night, they were only able to make 150 doughnuts. The next day, that number doubled, and when they were able to receive more equipment and help, they were making up to 9,000 doughnuts a day!
Can you imagine what that seemingly small gesture meant to those tired, cold, homesick, struggling soldiers? How it gave them hope and comfort and the strength to keep fighting?
Sometimes we think playing a supportive role means that we are less important or needed than the ones we think are doing the “actual work”. However, this isn’t true. The word support means to hold up or bear the weight of something. It is not something that’s unnecessary, but nice to have–it is essential!
At times it may be our turn to stand at the front of a particular cause, challenge or project. And at times, it may be our turn to be the support; the ones that help bear the weight and hold up those who are fighting on our behalf.
There have been many times in my life where people have told me things like, “I really loved your theater production. It is so nice to have something good and uplifting to take my family to. I can’t wait for you to do another one!” Then, later on, when I am ready to do another production and am asking people for financial backing, labor or help of any kind, these same people tell me that they can’t help. I found myself getting so frustrated. So many people wanted the good things I was trying to put out there, but so many of them weren’t willing to actually support the effort required to bring them about.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I was guilty of the same thing. How many times had I been grateful for an uplifting movie, and then borrowed it from a friend instead of paying to buy it myself? How many times had I seen beautiful and inspiring piece of art and failed to support the artist? How many times did I see a worthy cause and convince myself that I didn’t have enough money or time to contribute?
Of course, we cannot support every single thing that comes our way. But we can and should support the things that we care about. I love the arts and believe in their ability to have a profound impact on our lives. I have always wanted to be able to draw and paint. Sadly, I’m terrible at it, but I can support those who are able to create it. I can let them know that their efforts are seen and valued. I can purchase art and contribute financially. If I don’t have the money to offer financial support, I can help spread the word about their work or volunteer my labor.
You may not think your contribution is important or that it will amount to much. When you find yourself thinking those thoughts, remind yourself that a few doughnuts in the face of World War I probably didn’t seem like much either. Then go out and support the things, the people and the causes that you love in any way you can.
