Methodist Men's pancake breakfast helps fund scholarships
The Methodist Men of the First United Methodist Church in Chester will host their annual pancake breakfast Saturday from 6:30-10 a.m. March 10 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 871 State St. in Chester.
There is full access to the venue and plenty of FREE parking surrounding the church.
"This is one of two main fundraisers we hold each year to be able to help sponsor numerous philanthropic causes throughout the year" said Bob Koenegstein, pancake committee member. "The most regular cause is the Methodist Men's College Scholarship Program."
The program has been in existence since the 60s and has helped send 84 individuals to college via two different Methodist Men's Scholarship Programs. The Jerry Lamkin Scholarship is in memory Jerry Lamkin, a former member of FUMC in Chester who died in an automobile accident on his way home from McKendree College where he was studying to be a Methodist pastor.
The other branch of the UMM Scholarship Program is the McNelly/Hoppe Scholarship, which is in memory of John and Caddie Hoppe and John and Ellen McNelly, parents of Elbert and Mabel Hoppe, who lived in Chester and attended FUMC until their deaths. This scholarship is also in memory of Rev. Hugh McNelly, who graduated from McKendree College and died in 1997.
Together the two FUMC Methodist Men's scholarships have awarded a total of 115 scholarships to 84 different individuals totaling $54,000.
The UMM also gives regularly to the Chester Music patrons to help sponsor music activities at Chester Grade School and Chester High School. Donations are also given to the Wesley Foundation at Southern Illinois University to help fund its Christian activities on campus.
The Methodist Men also help fund numerous missionary projects through UMCOR (United Methodist Commission on Relief) as well as various church projects at FUMC.
The Pancake Breakfast serves an all-you-can-eat meal featuring hot, off-the-grill pancakes, Johnsonville sausage links, unlimited coffee, milk and orange juice.
The cost for this great meal is only $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 6-12. Children 5-and-younger can eat free. Carry-outs are available and tickets are now on sale from any Methodist Men.
The United Methodist Women will also be at the breakfast selling numerous quilts they have created and some baked goods. Call (618) 826-2549 for more information prior to or on the day of the event.