Folks dig in at Kiwanis breakfast

Napierville, Illinois, News
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1489225,kiwanis-pancake-breakfast_na032109.article


The Naperville Kiwanis Club was wary about how successful its 54th Anniversary Pancake Festival and Raffle would be this year, in light of the country's sluggish economy and people cutting back on charitable contributions.

But after they ran the totals Saturday, it was smiles all around.

Breakfast co-chair John Kroening said they're pleased to announce nearly 3,000 folks showed up hungry for breakfast, local entertainment and other family festivities.

"We were actually up about 400 from last year," said Kroening. "If people are looking not to spend a lot, it's not a bad deal. They get all the breakfast they can eat and plenty of great entertainment for five bucks, six if you bought your ticket at the door."

Breakfast co-chair Fred Graham is in charge of the details of the breakfast. Graham said this year they brought in 11,000 sausages, 750 pounds of pancake mix, 100 gallons of orange juice and 50 gallons of milk.

The club members and volunteers cook it all up in the Naperville Central High School kitchen. Longtime Kiwanis member Hank Verboomen took his traditional post, grilling the sausages. His fellow volunteers affectionately call Verboomen "The Sausage King."

Kroening noted that credit for the breakfast's success goes to all the people who donated their goods, time and services. About 130 Key Club volunteers from local high schools helped serve and clean up. Seven bands from area junior highs provided non-stop musical entertainment. And the DuPage Children's Museum brought in some of its attractions to keep the children occupied.

Kroening said corporate sponsorship donations were the only numbers down this year. They only received $1,500 compared to last year's $10,000. However, they added a "split the pot" raffle for the first time to help make up a bit of that difference. He said that raffle brought in $1,100 for the group and $1,100 for the winner.

"We were actually gratified the 'split the pot' went to someone who really needed the money," said Kroening. "It was a person who needs help paying health care bills."

The pancake breakfast is the Kiwanis' biggest fundraiser of the year. They use the money to support more than 30 volunteer service projects throughout the community including the DuPage Children's Museum, Family Shelter Services and Meals on Wheels.