After a year of waiting, it is nearly once again Kiwanis Pancake Day, where the Portsmouth chapter of Kiwanis welcomes the community to the buttery and syrupy fundraiser everyone knows and loves that raises money to help them fulfill their mission of giving back to the community for the rest of the year.
The Kiwanis Pancake Day is organized by a committee and co-chairs Matt Hammer and Kara Tieman, who have been leading the event for over seven years.
“I’m glad to see it making a comeback after Covid and the closing of the SOMC Friends Center. It left us, along with other organizations, scurrying around as we got things back into gear,” Hammer said. “We’ve been very fortunate of the American Legion Post 23 for accepting us with open arms.”
Hammer explained that Pancake Day is the biggest fundraiser of their club and it makes a lot of their mission possible, especially their scholarship program, which awards four $1,000 scholarships.
“We generate three scholarships from this fundraiser and the fourth is made possible to an endowment we have,” Hammer said. “So, this fundraiser is very important to us.”
According to Hammer, Kiwanis International pushes for every club to have a signature event and the Portsmouth Kiwanis has two. Their two signature events include Pancake Day and Kids Day in Tracy Park.
“We’ve been recognized for our events and efforts by leadership, and it always makes us feel good. Kiwanis, well our chapter, is actually quite big and you don’t realize how big it is until you see other clubs,” Hammer said. “Our numbers are like any other, even though we are increasing membership, but I think our club makes a big impact and Pancake Day makes it possible.”
Not only do proceeds benefit the scholarships, but money raised also maintains the playground at Tracy Park and even makes their Kids Day event possible, which offers a full day of fun in Tracy Park for kids and families.
The Pancake Day features a pancake meal for only $7. Kiwanis members will be cooking, cleaning, serving, and more. Hammer says that the event is also made possible, thanks to local Key Club students who volunteer.
“A lot of these kids need volunteer hours, and, honestly, just like being part of the community as Key Club members,” Hammer said. “We even have a challenge setup where they get a couple bucks per ticket they sell to go towards their Key Club. We also throw a pizza party for the school that sells the most. Wheelersburg has dominated it every year.”
The Kiwanis Pancake Day will be April 19, between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. at American Legion Post 23, 705 Court Street. Tickets are $7.
“This is just fun to see people get back together, sit around and talk, and bring the small-town feel of everyone knowing each other and having a good time for fellowship around the Kiwanis Club mission,” Hammer said. “ Kiwanis is for the children and the community knows, when they see our name attached to something, that their money is going to go to a good cause. People feel secure with Kiwanis and we use that support to do good things.”
Reach Joseph Pratt at (740) 353-3101, by email at [email protected], © 2022 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights reserved
