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| A Downtown Community Group serves pancakes Sunday to raise money for Operation Christmas Child. |
As a fundraiser for Operation Christmas Child, a Mission to
the City group served a pancake brunch after church on Sunday, May 24 at the Downtown location. The money raised – nearly $500 – will go toward the church’s
annual Christmas in July event on July 31. This year, the goal for Christmas in
July is to raise $7,000 and pack 2,000 shoeboxes with gifts for children in
impoverished countries with little or no access to the gospel.
“The pancake brunch is a great way to serve families from
the Sunday morning service as well as other Mission to the City groups looking
for an easy way to eat lunch together,” said Brett Stewart, one of the
organizers of the event. “Plus, the money raised goes to a great cause, and who doesn’t love
pancakes?”
The leftover pancakes, syrup, and butter were donated to
Bethel Mission, an emergency shelter for homeless men, and also taken to a
homeless camp in Des Moines.
Before church on Sunday, the group met at 7 a.m. at Walnut
Creek Windsor Heights to start mixing batter and flipping pancakes. They
filled seven roasters full of pancakes, which they hauled downtown before
church. Immediately following the service, the group set up a serving line in
front of the stage and also plugged in griddles to keep flipping
pancakes.
They served plain and chocolate chip pancakes with butter,
syrup, and peanut butter. They also offered lemonade, coffee, and water. The cost
was $5 per plate for all-you-can-eat pancakes, and kids ate for free.
Mark your calendars for Christmas in July on July 31, and
begin collecting new and gently used toys, school supplies, and hygiene items
for the gift boxes.
By Tim Laehn
Walnut Creek Downtown