The annual Valparaiso Kiwanis Pancake Day took place on March 5 at the Porter County Expo Center. Held from 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., this year’s event is the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club's largest pancake day in club history.
“Pancake Day is our club's largest fundraiser. This year is sizably larger than past years,” Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club Past President Steve Bobinski said.
Pancake Day Committee Chair Scott Carlson began planning for the breakfast in November and shared that the Porter County Expo Center has been the perfect location for the growing event. The outpouring of support from the community has helped make this year’s Pancake Day a huge success.
“This truly is a community event. We get so much support from the community and have over 60 sponsors this year. It’s about the community coming together to raise money. All of the proceeds go right back into the community.” Carlson said.
Pancake Day has been a long standing tradition for families in the area and is an exciting way for first time attendees to get to know the club and the community better. Attendee Colleen Peluso brought her family to the event for the first time this year.
“We’ve lived in Valpo for over 10 years, and we’ve never been before. Everything was delicious and there were so many great helpers here today.” Peluso said.
The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club, the largest club in Indiana and the seventh largest club in the world, focuses their energy on giving back $50,000 or more into the community each year. Between the generous sponsorships for the event and the community support through ticket sales, the club raises nearly $25,000 each year through this event alone. The Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club is an organization heavily focused on community and values giving back to their community through supporting local non-profits and scholarships for high school students.
“We donate our time and labor for other services like building handicap ramps for the community and meals on wheels, too” Bobinksi said.
Tim Bucher, former Pancake Day Committee Chair, has been a member of the club for nearly 37 years and has been involved in Pancake Day since day one.
“The club is really involved. Valpo is a very generous community, and we don’t just write a check, we get involved. That is what this club is all about.” Bucher said.
Attendees of the event were able to participate in a 50/50 raffle and enjoy freshly made cotton candy and live entertainment while they enjoyed their all-you-can-eat pancakes. Kids also had the opportunity to get their face painted and participate in other activities in the kids corner.
“We bring a lot of joy through this event. There is a lot of energy, so it is a great community project,” Club President Ahna Campos said.
To find out more about the Valparaiso Noon Kiwanis Club and Pancake Day visit valpokiwanis.org.
