Naperville Kiwanis plans pancake fundraiser

The Kiwanis Club of Naperville will hold its signature Pancake Festival fundraiser from 7 a.m. until noon March 17 in the Naperville Central High School cafeteria, 440 Aurora Ave.

The club is partnering with Loaves & Fishes Community Services to raise money for its Child Nutrition Initiative. There will be a food donation drop-off in the south parking lot.

"We are very appreciative that Kiwanis Club has included Loaves & Fishes as a partner in this wonderful event," said Mike Havala, Loaves & Fishes president and CEO. "Kiwanis has provided such generous support to so many organizations and individuals through its valuable service and donations."

The family-friendly event will feature an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage meal; live music from Naperville junior high school bands and choral groups; cash and prize raffles; and an online auction of unique experiences such as lunch with Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico and the opportunity to be one of the 17 rib-tasting judges at Ribfest 2018.

Local officials, including the mayor, city council members and Mayor Emeritus George Pradel, will flip and serve pancakes.

The children's area will feature games, face painting and a coloring contest with prizes, judged by Becky Anderson of Anderson's Bookshops. In addition, DuPage Children's Museum will provide an interactive activity.

Tickets for the event are available in advance for $8 at http://bit.ly/kiwanispancake and at Anderson's Bookshop, Casey's Foods and Oswald's Pharmacy. Tickets at the door are $10.

The Kiwanis Club of Naperville has focused for the past 63 years on serving children and families in need. Each year the group supports more than 25 local charities with more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service and money from its two major fundraisers, Peanut Days and Pancake Festival.