It was Memorial Day Saturday, May 24. The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland sponsored their Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Kirkland Community Center at Parkplace. Many club members were on the job at 5 a.m. picking up food, setting up tables and chairs, bring in table linens and flowers, heating up the grills, making coffee and figuring out who does what with the procession of the well oiled machine as the Kiwanis Club kicked into gear. Key Clubbers from local schools and other volunteers pitched in to help make this event a success. The doors opened at 7 a.m. to hungry patrons who paid $7 for a breakfast feast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, tea, milk or 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 second 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 Michael Cole giving a rare performance on his Alphorn. He was then joined by Erling Iverson who played clarinet while Michael played trumpet. Next up was Zach Boyd who enchanted everyone with his guitar playing and singing. Continuing the fun was “Blank,” a teen rock and roll band that consisted of three siblings, rocked the house with tunes everyone recognized and enjoyed. Thoreau Elementary School, directed by Sharon Frank was next in line with about 25 grade-school kids. They had a great time sharing their music with a full house of breakfast eaters. They started with their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, which they sang at the Mariners game the week before. The pancake crowd then had the pleasure of watching and listening to The Silouhettes – The three 14-year-old young ladies not only had great harmonies but great moves. Finishing out the day was musical selections from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: A new music. Several members of the cast mesmerized the crowd with original songs written specifically for the musical. The show will begin Halloween night and run through Nov. 22 at the Historic Everett Theater. Tickets are now on sale.
Bob Gray was also on hand to make balloon animals and hats for the kids (and the young at heart). Bob has participated in Kiwanis fundraisers for KITH in the past and was a great addition to the pancake party.
The KCK wants to give special thanks to one of their club members who generously donated the food for the event. Mike Marquess, co-owner of the Casino Caribbean located in the Kingsgate area, north of Totem Lake has been a member of KCK for five years. He has donated the food for the Pancake Breakfast during the past four years.
“I am glad to help out with the KITH program and to be able to help homeless families,” Marquess said.
The Kiwanis Club of Kirkland donated $5,000 to KITH (Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing) www.kithcares.org. A generous donation was also made by the Seattle Fund who agreed to partially match KCK’s donation to KITH for this year’s event. Their donation along with an anonymous donor who agreed to match the Seattle Fund’s donation brought this year’s final total to $5,830.
The Annual Pancake Breakfast is one of many fundraisers put on each year by the KCK. If you are interested in learning more about Kiwanis Club of Kirkland, visit our website at www.kirkland.kiwanis.org or contact Matt Gregory, Secretary at 206-851-5585.
Bonni Sundberg with Kirkland Kiwanis.
