By Sarrah Peters
News Editor
The Kiwanis Club of Gadsden is proud to announce that on Saturday, February 18. The incredibly successful fundraiser has been held in Gadsden for 60 years.
Beginning at 3:30 a.m., volunteers will converge on Gadsden’s Convention Hall to begin the cooking process that will serve over 10,000 pancakes, garnished with fresh Dean’s sausage, hot coffee, cold milk or your favorite Buffalo Rock soft drink. Sugar free syrup will be available.
The doors open at 6 a.m. when serving begins, and the crowd flows in until 2 p.m. Takeout is also available.
Since 1957, this fundraiser has generated well over $1,600,000 in funds used to benefit children in our area. Charity has always been the goal of the Kiwanis Club.
On June 13, 1919, 15 men gathered in the office of Judge Wm. J. Boykin in the Stocks Building and accepted the invitation of Kiwanis International to organize the third Kiwanis Club in Alabama, the other two being in Birmingham and Mobile. It was quite an honor for Gadsden to have been chosen to form a Kiwanis Club.
On Wednesday, July 2, 1919, the first regular meeting of this group was held at the Printup Hotel, and all prospective members were invited to attend. At the next meeting, 50 members had been approved. From there, regular meetings were held on each Wednesday. On December 10, 1919, the Gadsden Club received its charter from Kiwanis International.
The first real project that was taken on by the club was that of helping to organize Boy Scout Troops in Etowah County. At that time, the Boy Scout movement was getting started in this area.
The Kiwanis Club continues to support Gadsden through its many projects including the annual American Flag Display program and the Gadsden Christmas Parade.
Tickets for eating in or takeout are available for $5 from any Kiwanis member, or at the door the day of the event.