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Prior to the event, a young volunteer divides fruit between cups for the guests to enjoy.
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The Ferrum Volunteer Fire Department lights up the darkness on the crisp Saturday morning of Sept. 28. The parking lot remains empty for only a limited amount of time.
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From left, Ferrum Lions Club members Dave Newcombe and Peggy Smith smile with the anticipation of the upcoming crowd. They have two tasks: Greet the community members and collect donations.
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Friends of Ferrum Park Chair Rebecca Saunders, right, and Lions Club member Dave Newcombe work together to prepare for the breakfast at the early morning time of 6:15 a.m.
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There were pancakes, sausages, fruits, and galore. Syrups, and juices, and so much more:
Friends of Ferrum Park, the Ferrum Forward Committee, the Village community, the Ferrum Lions Club, and the Ferrum Volunteer Fire Department joined together for a fundraising event in the form of a pancake breakfast.
The goal was to raise money for the newest recreational hotspot for the Village: Ferrum Park. The event also served as a fundraiser for the Ferrum Lions Club, a local civic group.
FOFP chair Rebecca Saunders was one of the many individuals that played a key role in organizing the event. Though Saunders has experience in leading fundraising events, this event was a first for her.
“We had never hosted a pancake breakfast before, so we had no idea what to expect really,” she explained. “We were ultimately hoping for at least 200 folks to come out and were prepared for so much more!”
The preparation proved necessary, too.
“The community really turned out in support,” Saunders said. “We had over 250 folks come out.”
As a result, the groups are $2,400 closer to their fundraising goals.
However, the success of the event does not lie only in the money raised–Saunders said the togetherness of the community brought just as much satisfaction.
She described the event to be more than just pancakes, too. It became a social gathering for strangers to become friends and for all to enjoy.
“The best part of the event was seeing folks meet each other and share breakfast together,” exclaimed Saunders. “I absolutely love that we can provide those kinds of opportunities for the folks to connect and have fun together.”
FF Vice Chair Bob Pohlad agreed.
“It was just so neat to see all of the community people. That’s really what it’s all about–the community and being together.”
Pohlad also added how great it was to see the different community groups come together for a cause.
“Watching all of the different groups work together,” he began, “the fire department, the students from the college and the high school, the Lions Club, all of us from Ferrum Forward, and the park–it really shows how incredible our community really is.”
Saunders also spoke of how well the groups organized and worked together.
“Not only were we able to plan and provide something that we hope the community really enjoyed coming to,” Saunders stated, “but joint fundraisers like this means that the work is spread out across both organizations, making it substantially easier on everyone involved!”
For FF member, community member, and local pastor Burton White, the food was also a great benefit of being involved in the event, which may have been his favorite part.
“I really enjoyed the sausage,” White noted in a humorous tone.
Regardless of the reason, food-related or not, Saunders encourages all to attend the upcoming fundraisers for the park that follow the pancake breakfast.
Oct. 18-19 mark the weekend of the Haunted Trail and the Trick or Treat Trail, and the Blue Ridge Folklife Festival is on October 26.
