84th Kiwanis pancake breakfast Feb. 19

Kiwanis Club of Poplar Bluff will have its 84th annual Pancake Breakfast from 6 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 19, at Poplar Bluff Junior High School.

“This is our largest annual fundraiser, which contributes to our general budget,” said Kiwanis member Lacey McClintock. “Our largest expense is maintenance and upkeep of Kiwanis Bacon Park.”

McClintock said, she “really looks forward to seeing the multi-generational families who come every year to share breakfast at the junior high cafeteria.”

Pancake Project Chairman Matthew Sparks agrees with McClintock pancake day has been a huge family event for most of his life.

In past years, Sparks recalls, it was not unusual to look at tables with four or five generations sitting together, visiting other family friends.

“My dad, Dennis Sparks, made me work it 30 years before I was in Kiwanis Club,” said Sparks, adding the local club’s first pancake day was in 1938.

Sparks said his own sons, Tanis and Rylee, also helped with pancake day until they were old enough to move away from home.

Last year, McClintock asked her son Skyler, a student at Poplar Bluff High School, to help. He manned a spot on the griddle flipping pancakes. He likes to do “anything to keep busy.”

Anyone who wants tickets to the breakfast or who wants to assist in sponsoring the event may contact McClintock at 573-429-6590 or contact the group on its Facebook page.

All-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and drinks will cost only $6. Carryouts will be available.

Sponsorship opportunities available are small placemat ad - $125, which includes 10 pancake tickets; large placemat ad - $250, which includes 20 pancake tickets; and to-go container sponsor - $300, which includes 10 pancake tickets.

All proceeds benefit Kiwanis Club of Poplar Bluff in its effort to serve children,

The sponsors and diners are assisting the local and international Kiwanis in serving the children of the world as well as caring for area children’s needs.

In addition to the ADA-accessible playground equipment project, Poplar Bluff Kiwanis, Inc., along with supporters, maintains Kiwanis Bacon Park, which is open to the public year-round. The majority of the annual spending goes toward Bacon Park in ways the public may not notice right away, such as replacing supports to pavilions, new roofs, new bridges, refilling gravel in the parking area (and) repair of existing equipment, benches and signage, in addition to maintaining, repairing and cleaning this park for the children of the community.

In addition to traditional play equipment, the park has a Frisbee course, walking trail, basketball court, football field, softball field, pavilions and grills. The community can reserve space to have birthday parties or events with no cost other than a refundable deposit for the bathroom key.

The local club also donates to the United Gospel Rescue Mission, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Boys and Girls Club of the Heartland, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership scholarship, Boy Scouts, I’m a Citizen Too, Project Graduation and Key Clubs in Doniphan and Poplar Bluff.

Checks may be made payable to Poplar Bluff Kiwanis, PO Box 1103, Poplar Bluff, MO., 63902.