The Rotary Club held its annual pancake breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday in the Salem Middle School cafeteria. Salem Rotary Club Communications Chairperson Ty Richards said the Rotary Pancake Breakfast has been an annual event since 1973. They have only skipped a few years due to coronavirus in 2020, but every year has been a success.
Walking into the Salem Middle School cafeteria felt welcoming. One could smell the pancakes and sausages cooking as soon as they entered the building. Familiar faces and smiles filled the room and created an inviting atmosphere. While the club is well known for the delicious annual event, its cause is deeper than pancakes and sausages.
The Rotary Club is an organization that works towards helping people in need. Salem R-80 Superintendent and Rotary Club member Dr. Nate Wills said, “The Rotary Club is a service organization worldwide.”
While the Rotary Club is a worldwide organization and focuses on world issues, it also focuses on our community. Jim Standfast, the District governor of the Salem Rotary Club, says all the funds made at the annual pancake breakfast go to three high school students for $1,000 scholarships. After the scholarships are distributed, the extra funds are donated to local programs such as Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that provides beds to bedless children, and the LovePack Backpack Program, a program that provides weekend meals for children in need.
Rotary Club member Mike Homeyer made it clear that the club lives by the motto “Service Above Self,” and the club’s actions speak louder than words. Watching Rotary Club members work together for the greater good is an inspiration. The Rotary Club is all about serving the people in need and are always looking for new members.
Breakfast attendees can rest assured that their money is going to a good cause when they choose to grab a stack of pancakes at the annual event. It’s wonderful to feel the energy of the town coming together for something bigger than themselves. The Rotary Club leaves a legacy that not only serves pancakes but also serves the community.
