Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club held its first Kiwanis Pancake Day in 1952. Now over 70 years later, what started as a small, fun fundraiser has become something remarkable.
On Saturday, March 11 Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club held its 72nd annual Pancake Day. The day was not only the perfect way for friends and family to munch on some delicious pancakes but a reminder of how much good can come from working together.
Each year, Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club holds a breakfast fundraiser to help raise money for all kinds of wonderful causes such as Riley Children’s Hospital, Boys, and Girls Club, several veterans organizations, and so much more. One project in particular that has had a huge impact on the community is Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club’s ramp building project, in which they build ramps to help people get in and out of their homes.
“I’ve been involved for about two years and it’s just been one of the greatest things I’ve ever done. I’d always heard about the work being done but didn’t realize how much the Kiwanis Club truly does until I got involved,” said Nancy Nielsen, a Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club member.
Last year Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club raised a record $40,000 during Kiwanis Pancake Day. The goal for this year was to raise even more money and give every bit of it back to organizations that make a difference.
The day wouldn’t have been the same without the generosity of the community. There is always an incredible amount of community support for Kiwanis Pancake Day but this year’s support was outstanding. Over 70 sponsors helped make the day possible.
Some of the event’s main sponsors included Edward Jones, Bucher Tech, Paton Law, Perma-Green, Valuation Services, Ed Charbonneau and family, M.E Simpson Co, Von Tobel, Mosley and Martinez Law Office, Ed Soliday and family, Diamond, and Barb Regnitz.
The turnout for the event was even more incredible. Pancake Day Chairperson Scott Carlson was proud to say that this year’s Kiwanis Pancake Day is the largest one to date. Throughout the day, over 2000 people came to contribute to the cause. Adults mingled with each other over steaming cups of coffee while the kids had fun face painting, coloring, playing with toys, and snacking on an abundance of cotton candy.
“I love seeing all the familiar faces that come in year after year to support the event. Many people make a point even just to stop by and say hi and that’s special,” said Carlson.
Carlson was ultimately very touched by the outpouring of support and couldn’t be happier to belong to such a caring community.
“It’s awesome to be a part of a community where you get so much support. This event grows every year and has become a big thing because of the community. Our large number of sponsors enforces to us how much people trust us to use our proceeds to better our community and that is pretty amazing,” said Carlson.
As Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club continues to grow—the club just recently became the third largest Kiwanis Club in the world—Carlson hopes Kiwanis Pancake Day keeps growing with it. The event has already progressed so much over the years and so much money has been raised for the community, but there’s always more work to be done.
“I’d like to continue to see this grow and have even more groups in our community get involved. Many of our local high school key clubs are already participating and helping and it’s great to see,” said Carlson.
When it comes down to it, this year’s Kiwanis Pancake Day is sure to have an astounding impact on the community for years to come. It’s amazing what becomes possible when people come together for a common cause.
To learn more about Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club and its devotion to the community, visit its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ValpoKiwanis.