Iredell’s Happiest Day helps support critical mission of Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont

BY BRANDY TEMPLETON

The Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont received an outpouring of community support on Thursday as the nonprofit hosted its Third Annual “Pancake Day: Iredell‘s Happiest Day“ at the Statesville Civic Center.

A steady flow of people filed into the Civic Center for a breakfast, lunch or dinner of pancakes and sausage. They were greeted and served by volunteers, who devoted a chunk of their day to help raise money for the Boys & Girls Club, which serves about 275 students each day.

Last year, the event brought in $124,500, which includes sales and sponsorships. The goal this year is $135,000.

Boys & Girls Club Director of Development Brady Johnson said the nonprofit borrowed the idea for the fundraiser from a sister club in Concord that has been holding a pancake fundraiser since 1957.

“They showed us all their tips, secrets, and helped us be successful,” Johnson said.

To event would not be as successful without a small army of volunteers.

“We have 260 volunteers this year. We need 55 people per shift,” Johnson said. “We are really thankful for all of them.”

Around 10 a.m. several local pastors from First Presbyterian, First Baptist, Forest Park Presbyterian, Troutman Baptist, Broad Street United Methodist, and Calvary Chapel Lake Norman were among the “celebrity chefs” cooking up pancakes.

Nonprofit G4G Ministries pitched in and cooked the sausage patties.

“We’re glad they’re here to help,” Johnson said. “It got really smoky in here the first year.”

The Boys & Girls Club is also very grateful to the event’s title sponsor, Randy Marion Automotive.

“They’ve been super supportive of this cause from day one,” Johnson said. “They took a leap of faith when this was just an idea on a piece of paper.”

General Manager Rhyne Scott loves supporting the organization. He and around 15 employees came to help out at Thursday’s event.

“It’s the perfect organization to put our name on,” he said. “Our employees are getting involved flipping pancakes, greeting people. It’s a lot more than just being a sponsor and putting our name out there.”

Zach Gordon was among the volunteer celebrity chefs. He took the role to new heights, serving up pancakes in the shape of Mickey Mouse, heart shapes, and bunnies.

“I love serving the Boys & Girls Club and the mission they provide,” he said.

Troutman Town Council members Felina Harris and Nicholas Jaroszynski paired up to make pancakes too. Both were first-time servers.

“I love serving in any capacity,” Harris said. “This gives me the opportunity to do that and meet new people.”

Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Cory Knight said he is grateful for all of the support the nonprofit received.

“We support kids who need a low, low cost child care facility. They get opportunities that they otherwise might not have,” he said.