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Pancakes
With a Purpose
| In
1953, the firemen of Spring Arbor Township decided to start
a Firemen’s Club to raise money for much needed fire
fighting and rescue equipment. The first meeting was held
on February 18, 1953. That same year, the Pancake Breakfast
was born. Originally, combined efforts of the Kiwanis Club,
Men’s Fellowship Club and the firemen made this event
possible along with a generous donation from the Aunt Jemima
Company who donated the pancake flour at no cost for the
first annual breakfast. |
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Eventually,
the firemen took over all duties of the event and still
do so today.
This
year’s 2003 Pancake Day marks 50
years of fundraising for the fire department. Many things
have
changed since 1953, though. As the community has
grown, so has the Fire Department. With the support of the community, they
have been able to acquire much better equipment over
the years. |
In
turn, much of the money that the Fire Department raises
goes back into the community as well as new equipment.
Some
of the proceeds are used to sponsor local Boy Scout and
Cub
Scout troops, Little League and T-ball teams, Girls softball
and the after prom party for the Western High School
Junior/Senior Prom held at the Potter Center. |
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They
also make food donations during the holidays to families
in need and help sponsor a Halloween activity called “Trunk
or Treat” where they furnish cider and donuts while
helping children learn to be safe while trick-or-treating.
Last year the event saw 4,000-5,000 children in attendance.
Through
the years, they have also used the funds to help purchase
community fire prevention tools, smoke alarms, JAWS (a
rescue tool), and an air compressor system to fill the
air tanks
the firemen wear during duty. Most recently, they have
used the funds to purchase a winch for the Jeep used
to fight
swamp and grass fires. They also help sponsor Spring
Arbor’s
annual Memorial Day Parade. |
Wanna see more? Check out an image
gallery of the pancake breakfast.
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