(Michigan City, IN) - A record-breaking donut-eating police officer will return to defend his title in Michigan City, as Indiana State Police Trooper Ken Payonk ate 16 donuts in 10 minutes last year to set the record for the annual Michigan City Salvation Army Donut-Eating Contest.
The fundraising event for the Salvation Army is scheduled for June 7th at the Blue Chip Casino in the Stardust Event Center.
“This is always an exciting day for The Salvation Army,” said Major Dale Simmons, who oversees The Salvation Army of Michigan City, along with his wife, Major Becky Simmons.
Payonk will compete with 13 other contestants for the title of Donut Champion.
The doors open at 9 a.m. for the contest, which starts at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. A $10 donation to the Salvation Army will allow a person to vote who they think will eat the most donuts in 10 minutes before the contest begins, with the names of people predicting the winner drawn at random for a $50 gift certificate from the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce.
Also competing this year will be Deputy Joe Walker, La Porte County Sheriff’s Office; Jo Davis, Harbour Trust & Investment Management Company; Katelyn Swistek, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce; Mike Maesch, Michigan City Area Schools; Brett Antisdel, MidwesThrift; William Walker, City of Michigan City; Gage Waldo, GAF; Landon Roberts, Instrumental Machine & Development; Det. Maximiliano Hernandez, Michigan City Police Department; Liz Pina, HealthLinc; Ben Bachmann, Phi Delta Kappa; George Sidney, Williams Dedicated; and Cindy DeLucca, Blue Chip Casino.
The contest will happen on “National Donut Day.” Simmons explained how the origins of the occasion go back to World War I when The Salvation Army would deliver spiritual care and comfort items, including homemade donuts, to American soldiers on the front lines.
“The Salvation Army started National Donut Day as a way to bring awareness to The Salvation Army’s social service programs,” he said.
Sponsoring the contest are Blue Chip Casino, GAF, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, and Al’s Supermarkets. Proceeds from this event will support programs and services at The Salvation Army of Michigan City including a food pantry, diaper bank, weekend backpack feeding program, utility assistance, free summer camp, free clothing room, and case management. More information can be found at www.samichigancity.org.
