By Bonni Sundberg
Special to the Reporter
There were lots of changes to the annual Kirkland Kiwanis pancake breakfast this year.
Held on May 18 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Kirkland, the breakfast was a great success. The Kirkland Kiwanis Foundation sponsored the breakfast this year and Kiwanis Club of Kirkland members made it happen.
Many club members were on the job setting up tables and chairs, bringing in table linens and flowers, heating up the griddles, making coffee and figuring out who did what. Kids from local Key Clubs and Builders Club and other volunteers pitched in to help as well.
The doors opened at 7 a.m. to hungry patrons who made $10 donations for a breakfast feast of pancakes, sausage, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, milk and juice. At 7:30 a.m., the entertainment began. It was non-stop music from local schools and various entertainers throughout the morning. This was the seventh year entertainment was on the “menu,” adding a party feeling to the whole affair.
“Thanks to St. John’s Episcopal Church for donating their great kitchen, dining space and equipment. Also, to all the happy volunteers who made this event the most memorable to date. I am very honored to work alongside so many current and future civic minded community leaders. Please join us for next year’s annual pancake breakfast and be part of it,” said Michael Marquess, president elect and fundraising chair for the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland.
From the profits of this year’s breakfast, the club was able to make a donation $5,000 to Attain Housing, a local organization that has been helping homeless families build strength and get a new start since 1989. More than 25,000 people experience homelessness in King County each year. The No. 1 cause is lack of affordable housing. Attain Housing helps homeless and at-risk families with children in King County to become stable and self-sufficient.
If you would like to make a donation or learn more about what this organization does, go to www.attainhousing.org.
The annual Pancake Breakfast is one of several fundraisers put on each year by the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland. If you are interesting in learning more about the club, visit our website at www.kirkland.kiwanis.org.
