By Tobias Forshtay

KOSCIUSKO — Every first Friday in June a holiday comes and goes with little celebration. The banks don’t close, the department stores don’t lower their prices, and for many children, school is still in session. Despite this reality, Raise the Dough has claimed National Doughnut Day as a day to raise funds for adoptions.  It’s truly the perfect pairing of a sweet cause and a sweet holiday.

The grassroots fundraising organization threw their inaugural party in 2014 as they rallied to help a couple secure the funds necessary to jumpstart their adoption. The very next year the non-profit was formed, incorporated, and was approved as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. They began by supporting a single family in their adoption journey, and soon after, others began to ask for help. From one family in 2014 to supporting 27 families to date, Raise the dough has become a strong advocate for adoption support and is well on their way to supporting 100 families in 10 years.

While the host location has changed over the years from Silveus Insurance to Baker Youth Club, we are planning to maintain a high standard of deliciousness and family-friendly fun. This year’s event will take place from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 7, at Grace College’s Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, located at 610 Wooster Road, Winona Lake. Guests can expect to see previously supported Raise the Dough families, newly adopted children and friends of all ages.  

Hetty Arts Pastry and Light Rail Cafe will provide some delicious doughnuts on the morning of the event. There is no cost for these, but we are accepting donations all morning. Coffee will also be provided by Light Rail Cafe and American Espresso. You are invited to come play some games on-location, check-out the retro Oldies radio station bus and a Vietnam helicopter flown in by Flyin-Brian with WIOE.

If you are interested in placing an order to go, we have doughnuts available for pre-order on our website at https://raisethedough.org/preorder. You may order as many as your heart desires for the fundraiser-special price of $20 per dozen. Doughnuts from Martins Supermarket, Dunkin Donuts and Rise n’ Roll will be available for order online. You can come and stay, or swing through on that morning and pick-up your doughnuts to take with you to work, drop in on an area business or bless a group with this surprise. All pre-orders should be made online by midnight on May 31.

Also on-location, you can expect to find some unique Raise the Dough merchandise including mugs and bracelets from MudLove.

Raise the Dough is a non-profit on a mission to raise funds for adoption because no child should be without a parent. More information on Raise the Dough can be found at www.raisethedough.org.