Pancake Breakfast Draws Crowds

More than 1,000 people attended the Grayslake Exchange Club's annual all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast. More people than in previous years poured in to show support and satisfy grumbling stomachs on Oct. 17 at the Grayslake Fire Department.

Cynthia Lee, secretary of the Grayslake Exchange Club and district director of Division 2, said that more than 50 gallons of pancake batter and over 1,000 plates were used this year. Lee said volunteers had to leave to get more supplies.

"The line [for pancakes] was out the door at least three times," she said.

All donations from tickets sales and raffles will go towards several local organizations, including the Community Youth Network, a non-profit counseling center with a focus on abuse prevention.

The Grayslake Exchange Club charters Grayslake Cub Scout Pack 96. The pack volunteered at the event and helped by cleaning tables.

Cub Scout Pack 96 has been active in the Grayslake community for over 56 years.

Steve Stahr, a first year Cub Scout den leader, said the boys of Cub Scout Pack 96 enjoy volunteering at the pancake event.  "The kids love it. It's their obligation to give back to the community." He also said their help at the event is "a way to say thank you" to the Grayslake Exchange Club for chartering them.

Kevin Mack, a Cub Scout den leader for over four years, said volunteering "teaches them community service and a strong work ethic."

Although the Exchange Club's national goal is child prevention, Lee said that the Grayslake club also makes donations and volunteers time in support of helping seniors, PADS homeless shelters, scholarships for youth, "Adopt-a-Highway," "Student of the Month" and the Grayslake Fire Department, among others.

Paul Patricelli, Grayslake Exchange Club president-elect, said the Pancake Breakfast is one of the club's biggest fundraisers.

The Round Lake Lovin Oven Cakery location donated pancake mix for the event and has participated in previous years as well. "We donate heavily for the boy scouts," said Matt Slove, Lovin Oven Cakery general manager.

Jeff Heyer, Grayslake fire inspector, said that the Grayslake Fire Department and Grayslake Exchange Club joined forces years ago to host the annual Pancake Breakfast. By combining the Grayslake Fire Department's open house with the club's pancake event to raise money for local causes "we're able to reach a larger crowd," he said. He said the event is a great way to "get the fire safety message out to the community."

Along with unlimited pancakes and a raffle with donations from businesses and organizations throughout the community, fire trucks were opened for kids to tour.

Heyer said he saw more kids attend this year than last. "They love seeing the trucks and climbing on," he said.

Patty McLane, Grayslake Exchange Club member, helped work the raffle ticket table. She said she joined the club about a year and a half ago to get more involved in the community. "You can help more people as part of a group than as an individual," she said. She said the event was "fantastic" and that it's "growing every year."

Susie Lipps, 13, said she has been coming to the event since she was little. She said she likes it because "you can see the fire department" and "tell it's for the community."

Betty Shulz, a former resident of Grayslake and former member of the Exchangettes, a group recognized by the Exchange Club as an operating women's organization, said her husband pleasantly surprised her by bringing her to the event.

"I didn't even know they were doing it," Shulz said. She most enjoyed seeing the young scouts helping at the event. "It's so wonderful to see all these kids."

Present members of the Exchangettes also volunteered by serving pancakes at the event. 

Ruth Woodruff, a long-time Grayslake resident, said that for her the Pancake Breakfast is a sentimental occasion. "For years I've been coming, when my mom and dad were still alive," she said. Woodruff said she enjoys seeing old friends and watching the young volunteers. "I love to watch the little Cub Scouts. They're so cute and take their job so seriously."

Exchange is a national, all-volunteer service organization for men and women.

Patricelli said its mission includes "the prevention of child abuse, Americanism and scholarship."

The Grayslake Exchange Club meets every Thursday, 12 p.m. at Whitney Street Restaurant, 30 N. Whitney Street. For more information visit exchangeofgrayslake.org.