Flipping hotcakes

The Alcoa Kiwanis Club held its 16th annual pancake breakfast recently at the Alcoa High School. The event was held April 21 and supporters showed up early as the doors to the cafeteria opened at 6 a.m., and food was served until noon.

The event was one of two major fundraising events produced by the club each year for children in Blount County and in
other areas as well. The other revenue source is the concession sales at the upcoming Kaufman Acoustic Kamp at Maryville College in July.

Event chair Roy Roberts said that almost all 88 club members worked in the kitchen or dining room at the pancake breakfast. The International House of Pancakes restaurant, 906 Turner Street in Maryville, was a contributing sponsor.
They provided ingredients and expertise. Alcoa High School personnel also provided assistance in the kitchen, Roberts said.

Club president Art Hafner said the organization gives out about $25,000 each year to support such organizations as Special Olympics, East Tennessee Children's Hospital, Blount County Head Start and the New Hope Children's Advocacy Center.
They also support scholarships for Alcoa and William Blount high school students, Maryville College students and other programs benefiting youth throughout the area.

The group also sponsors a Circle K chapter at Maryville College, Key Clubs in Alcoa, William Blount and Greenback high schools and a builders club in William Blount Middle School, Hafner said.

Alcoa Kiwanis meets at noon every Monday in the Green Meadow Country Club dining room.