WRITTEN BY SHELLY BRANDON | PHOTOS BY ERIN LACKEY PHOTOGRAPHY
EARLY BIRD DONUTS A LEGACY CONTINUES The tale behind Early Bird Donuts' inception is an inspiration. It’s the story of how two generations of strong Cambodian women fought to triumph over adversity and raise their families in Oroville. Lena Vorn Say escaped Cambodia to Thailand after enduring four years in a concentration camp under the Khmer Rouge. She emigrated to the United States with her children and began her life again, purchasing a donut shop in Oroville known as Jim & Jan’s Donuts in 1997. With it, she created a legacy for herself and her family through hard work and dedication. Lena began working at the shop by 4:00am every day of the week, throughout the entire year, except for Christmas, all while raising her two children, Savon and Bora. Savon beamed, “She’s my hero.” Savon began working the front of the store while she was in 8th grade, but eventually left Oroville to attend college and later graduate school. In 2011, she and her husband Ryan moved back to help care for her mother and the store. They, along with Savon’s brother Bora Vy, took over the store and renamed it Early Bird Donuts. 54
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Savon loves the fact that their family shop is tied to so many memories for those in Oroville. “We’re proud to be a part of this very loyal community. We have customers who used to come in as little kids, who now come in with their own little kids, and it’s really sweet to see that.” While these original customers may remember the donuts, Early Bird sells more than just donuts these days. They feature muffins, croissants, boba drinks, and soon customers can pick up macaroons and ice cream donuts. Even after over twenty years of baking and selling, one of the greatest challenges in running the business is determining how many donuts to make each day. One morning, they’ll have someone come in and buy seventeen dozen donuts— quickly selling out their inventory—while another day may be very slow with extras leftover at the close of shop. Whenever this occurs, rather than selling day olds at a discount the next day, they choose to donate to area charities like Oroville Hope Center, The Father’s House, or sometimes to local area schools. It’s clear that Savon has inherited her mother’s traits of strength and
perseverance. Diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2020, Savon went though five months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation. Throughout this time, she continued to work at the shop, even on the days she received her treatments. The community’s love for this second-generation donut shop, and the family behind it, is evident in the rave reviews of the food and the way they rally and support them through difficult times. Savon reflects on her mother’s advice, “She’d say, ‘It’s your life, Savon.’ She was basically giving me permission to just live my life and do what I really wanted to do. It was honestly the best thing.” Savon, her husband Ryan, and their two children, Cole and Mia, enjoy life outside the donut shop by camping, hiking, or pontooning while enjoying all nature has to offer. Early Bird Donuts is open Monday through Friday from 5:00am to 1:00pm; Saturday and Sunday from 6:00am to 1:00pm. Customers can visit getearlybirddonuts.square.site and order their donuts ahead of time. They are located at 475 Oro Dam Blvd East, Unit C 530-712-5200.
