The Kiwanis 85th Annual Pancake Day was, as usual, a sweet success. Kiwanis President Brian Taylor, member Jim Sanchez and third grade student Jake Fickert served up steaming flapjacks for the masses Saturday morning as residents and friends shuffled into the Poplar Bluff Junior High cafeteria.
When asked how many pancakes they thought they had served, Sanchez responded with a laugh, “5,247,000.”
Kathy Brittingham has been an active member of the Kiwanis Club since 1994, and she along with member Scott Cheshire manned the batter end of the pancake operation. Cheshire said this was his first Pancake Day experience.
Sixth-grader Aiden Shearin won the title for most pancakes eaten during this year’s first pancake eating contest. Mia Ferguson and Bentley Brown gave it their best shot, but in the end slow and steady won the race.
Chairman of the Pancake Day committee Mathew Sparks said he was very happy with the event and the assistance Kiwanis received.
“I am very thankful for the Boys and Girls Club for coming out and helping, it means a great deal. For years, we never had enough help and they give us more than enough help. I have never seen so many young kids do so much work in a volunteer situation and I am really happy about it.”
In a previous interview, Brittingham said the money raised will be utilized to make playground improvements.
“This year we are preparing to install the second phase of the playground equipment,” he said. “This is an exciting addition to the Phase 1 equipment that was installed in 2017. We are adding a pirate ship, swings and other pieces where a person with disabilities can build camaraderie and friendships by playing with their friends, not just watching them from the sidelines.”
According to Kiwanis member Steve Whitworth, the organization raised over $6,000 in sponsorship this year before tickets were even sold, showing the solidarity of community support in Poplar Bluff.