{Story by Bill Pickett}
Thursday’s Kiwanis Pancake Day in Danville saw youth and senior citizens working side-by-side for a common goal. It was to raise money to support dozens of youth programs in the area.
Jeremy Chase, President of the Kiwanis Club this year, said the event received some key support again this year….
{AUDIO: ‘’A lot of the big stuff – like the batter and the syrup, is always donated to us by Quaker. They’ve been a great sponsor throughout the years. And a lot of people donate money, or just supplies to us as well to get this accomplished,’’ said Chase during an interview with Vermilioncountyfirst.com News.
Some of the Kiwanis members who manned the grills Thursday have been doing it for years. One said he has helped flip pancakes for the Kiwanis since 1966. Chase noted the event could not be held at the Palmer Arena last year because of the pandemic. But the Witzel family which operates the local McDonald restaurants, worked out a plan last year whereby the Kiwanis could still raise money to help support youth.
{These students from Bismarck-Henning High School were among several from the school helping with Thursday’s event. They are…from left to right…Braden Sackett, a senior….Camren Merrill, a junior at Bismarck-Henning High School…Ella Thomas, a junior…and Hayden Rice, also a junior at the school.}
Chase said he and other Kiwanis members also appreciate the support they get from some young people in the area…
{AUDIO: ‘’Some of the kids came down from Bismarck-(Henning) High School. We also got some of the kids from Schlarman (Academy) that came to help us. And some of the athletes from DACC are coming out at the end to help us clean this whole thing up.’’
(People line-up for pancakes Thursday supporting area youth organizations.)
Upwards to 3,000 people were expected to enjoy pancakes and sausage during this year’s event. Chase says that included a lot of carry-out orders – many by citizens who did not want to be around a large crowd because of the on-going pandemic.
