Pancake Day — Pancakes for a Cause

DULUTH, Minn. — Come for the pancakes, but know that you’re helping a lot of people in the Duluth area.

That’s the Lions Pancake Day at the DECC. 65 years of bringing people together.

“I like Pancakes,” that was the sentiment of many people at Pancake Day.

Jim Pratt has been a member of the Duluth Lions Club for 25 years and is now its president. “We’ve got all these volunteer and everybody’s pouring coffer. But you know when he president of the Lions Club, we get to carry the backpack all day long. So that’s awesome.”

It takes an army of volunteers to make the event a success each year. Employees from local businesses and organizations come together and donate their time to help the Lions members make Pancake Day a success.

Members of the Command Staff at the Duluth Police Department made time for Pancake Day. They were at the DECC doing their part, including the Chief of Police who was manning one of the griddles.

Polie Chief Mike Ceynowa said, “This is my second year as a pancake flipper of Lion’s Day. But we have volunteered down here at the police department forever. We have poured coffee, clear table, flipping cakes. We’ve been kind of all over the map, but it’s one of favorite events. It’s a great way to see a majority of our community all come out and ask us questions and be able to talk about our profession, so it’s great.“

It really does take many companies and people to ensure the yearly event isa success.  For example, Holiday, which is now a part of Circle K, takes on the role of coffee supplier. The thousands of place mats which are used during the day have the logos of some of the sponsors who make the event and the Lion’s charitable work possible.

While this is, at its heart, a fund-raising event, it’s also become a sign of spring and a way to re-connect with people and to make new friends over a plate of pancakes and a cup of coffee.

“Oh my gosh 15 – 20 years at least, more than that? Not sure but my memory’s not good, “said  Bruce Peters.  His wife Beverly said,”  You know, I’d say at least 30 -35 years.”

Beverly and Bruce  Peters summed up the reasons why they and so many others keep making their way to the DECC each spring. “It’s very good food to start with, I guess and foundation is good. We like to support their local charities. So that’s’ one of the reasons. Like I say, the food is very good too. So that’s probably the biggest reason for me.”