Fostoria Kiwanis Pancake Day set

FOSTORIA — As president of the Kiwanis Club of Fostoria, Beau Walters is charged with coordinating the organization's Pancake Day.And with the community rallying around the event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., March 6, in the St. Wendelin Parish Life Center, 323 N. Wood St., Walters is looking forward to watching it all unfold."I'm definitely excited," he said. "I was a little nervous at first. But you send out the letters (seeking donations) and then it's just kind of a flood of donations and people reaching out who want to be a part of it. It makes my job much easier, to have a community that's willing to support an event like this. It's huge."Walters was unable to guess at how many pancakes the Kiwanians may serve each year, but he knows it's a lot. And volunteers will even deliver from 11 a.m., to 1 p.m.Each order includes all-you-can eat pancakes, as well as sausage and a beverage. Tickets are available in advance at $8 each for adults, $7 for those with Golden Buckeye cards, $4 for children ages 5 through 11 and free for youngsters 4 and under. Advance ticket orders may be placed by calling 419-619-5741."I know we always have a great turnout," Walters said. "It's kind of incredible, the turnout that we have and the support from the community and local businesses. I know we serve a bunch, and it's kind of amazing."Kiwanis is a youth service organization that uses the funds raised to aid community members in ways such as conducting its annual Back-to-School Shoe Program, combining with Kaubisch Memorial Public Library and Fostoria City Schools on reading programs, working with the United Way of Fostoria on cleanups in the city and contributing to events upon request.Not only do local businesses donate to the operation of serving pancakes, but they also provide items for fundraising raffles and often purchase meals for their employees."It's kind of amazing, the amount of people who reach out and want to support, and then they come (to eat)," Walters said. "It's not just about the donations; it's about people just showing up and showing support. We'll be super busy."With so many people showing up to eat, the service process requires a healthy amount of volunteerism. And, Walters said, Kiwanians and others are eager to help."Pretty much all (local Kiwanians) do unless they have a scheduling conflict," he said. "Usually, everybody takes a shift or two, and then we also have volunteers from the community who want to help. I work at Good Shepherd (Home); it's easy for me to grab some extra volunteers. I have some of the people I work with coming in to help during the busy times to make sure it goes smoothly."