This was the first year since COVID that the Rotary Club of Murfreesboro brought back their full-scale Hotcakes and Holly Pancake Breakfast, which took place right before Christmas. More than 550 came to enjoy the pancakes with all of the fixins, sausage, and cinnamon rolls, plus coffee and orange juice.
“Our annual pancake breakfast is first and foremost a community event to usher in the holiday season,” said Randy Allen, chair of the event’s planning committee. “It was good to see such a large crowd back at the event.”
“It’s like a giant family reunion,” said guest Phil Barnett.
Other visitors voiced similar opinions, saying that they had been missing the event because it gives them an opportunity to see old friends that they do not see often, and usually only at this event.
Santa and his elves were on hand for pictures, and folks from Redstone Federal Credit Union were on hand to collect letters to Santa and make sure that they go into their magical mailbox to ensure they get to the big man at the North Pole in plenty of time.
New to the event this year was a small marketplace. There were booths selling everything from homemade pickles to hand-painted Christmas ornaments to crafts to vintage and up-cycled items. And the Red Cross was on hand to inform visitors about their free fire alarm installations.
“It was a small market,” said market coordinator Lee Rennick, “but a successful first year. We are definitely interested in expanding it and doing it again next year.”
Having beaten their goal thanks to all of the sponsors and the donations from visitors who came to the event, the club will be able to make more donations to the community this year. Funds raised in the past from this event have been donated to organizations like Books from Birth, Read to Succeed, MTSU Dyslexia Center, Women’s Club Reading Buddies, Rotary Third Grade Dictionary Project, Greenhouse Ministries, Boys & Girls Club, Center for the Arts, and many other organizations.
“We want to thank all of our sponsors,” said sponsor coordinator Andrew Peck. “They have allowed us to have a great event and an opportunity to help more non-profits in the community.”
The Rotary Club of Murfreesboro turned 104 years old in October of 2023. Members have worked hard over the years to increase the quality of life for everyone in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County.
Rotary International has a distinguished history of more than 118 years, and is one of the oldest and most respected civic clubs in the world. They focus their efforts on peace and conflict resolution, water and sanitation, supporting the environment, basic education and literacy, maternal and child health, economic and community development, and disease prevention and treatment. They are most famous for their drive to eradicate Polio.
For more information about Rotary Club of Murfreesboro and the breakfast, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MurfreesboroRotary/.
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