The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland (KCK) sponsored its annual Pancake Breakfast at the Kirkland Community Center at Parkplace on Memorial Day. Many club members were on the job at 5 a.m. picking up food, setting up tables and chairs, bringing in table linens and flowers, heating up the grills, making coffee and figuring out who does what with the precision of a well-oiled machine as the Kiwanis Club kicked into gear. Key Clubbers from local high schools and other volunteers pitched in to help make this event a success. The doors opened at 7 a.m. to hungry patrons who made a $7 donation for a breakfast feast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, tea, milk and juice.

At 8:30 a.m. the entertainment began. It was non-stop music and fun from local schools and various entertainers throughout the morning. This was the third year entertainment was on the “menu” and it was a huge success, adding a party feeling to the whole affair.

Starting the morning’s events was Hal Bomgardner, KCK member and pianist extraordinaire, providing easy listening music, adding to the “flavor” of the pancakes.

Next up was the Evergreen Middle School Jazz Club presenting a wonderful program that caused everyone to sit up and take notice of this wonderfully talent group of kids.

The pancake crowd then had the pleasure of watching and listening to The Silhouettes – three 16 year old young ladies who also performed last year, and not only had great harmonies, but great moves. Continuing the fun and returning for the third year in a row was the Thoreau Elementary School choir performing a variety of songs as well as having featured soloists. They had a fun time sharing their music with a full house of breakfast eaters.

Finishing the day were the Carillon Chamber Singers, a program of the Kirkland Music Academy. In addition to the choir, there were featured soloists from the group that performed. Their whole program was mesmerizing and enchanted everyone in the room. The Carillon Chamber Singers and Chamber Orchestra will be performing a concert at 8 p.m. on June 5 at the Kirkland Music Academy. Tickets are $10.

The KCK wants to give special thanks to one of their members who generously donated the good for the event. Mike Marquess, co-owner of the Casino Caribbean located in the Kingsgate are, north of Totem Lake has been a member of the KCK for six years. He has donated the food for the Pancake Breakfast for the past five years.

“I am glad to help out with the Attain Housing program and to be able to help homeless families,” Marquess said.

The KCK donated about $5,000 to Attain Housing (www.attainhousing.org). A generous donation will also made by the Seattle Fund, who agreed to partially match KCK’s donation to Attain Housing for this year’s event.

The annual Pancake Breakfast is one of many 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.

Bonni Sundberg is a member and spokesperson with the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland.