KIWANIS PANCAKE BREAKFAST IS A HUGE SUCCESS THANKS GOES TO THE KIRKLAND COMMUNITY FOR THEIR SUPPORT

By Bonni Sundberg, Kiwanis Marketing Co-Chair

It was Memorial Day Saturday, May 25, 2013.  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 5am 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 7a to hungry patrons who paid $7 for a breakfast feast of pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, tea, milk or juice.  At 8a the entertainment began.  It was non-stop music and fun from local schools and entertainers throughout the morning.  This was the first time entertainment was on the “menu” and it was a huge success, adding a party feeling to the whole affair. 

Starting the morning’s events were the Kamiakin Jazz Band consisting of 25 students (5th – 8th grade) and a full jazz band set up directed by Ward Brannman.  Following this toe tapping, finger snapping group, was the Andante Kirkland Youth Choir directed by Sue Heale and Cassi MacDougall.  This small group of little sweeties brought smiles to everyone’s faces when they walked on stage in the little poodle skirts and tee shirts and sang about the 1950s.  Thoreau Elementary School was up next with about 25 grade school kids having a great time and sharing their music with a full house of breakfast eaters.  Their director is Sharon Frank.  The closing act of the day was HeartGraves, consisting of brother/sister act Conley and Newton Kellogg.  Their Alternative Rock original compositions were enjoyed by the last of the pancake crowd. 

The KCK wants to give special thanks to one of their Club members who generously donated the food for the event.  Mike Marquess, part owner of the Casino Caribbean located in the Kingsgate area, north of Totem Lake has been a member of KCK for four years.  He has donated the food for the Pancake Breakfast for the past 3 years.  Mike says, “I am glad to help out with the KITH program and to be able to help homeless families.”  Thanks to Mike’s generosity, the club was able to donate $5,000 to KITH (Kirkland Interfaith Transitional Housing).

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 http://kirkland.kiwanis.org or contact Matt Gregory, Secretary at (206) 851-5585.