Annual Pancake Day raises money for Hurley Lions, Iron County Youth Camp

HURLEY - The Hurley Lions Club and Iron County youth teamed up to raise money for the community during the annual pancake breakfast at the Liberty Bell Chalet in Hurley on Sunday.

Pancake Day, held on Palm Sunday for more than 35 years, serves as a fundraiser for both the Lions Club and the Iron County Summer Youth Camp.

Lions Club members made pancakes and washed dishes, while area youth worked as hostesses and servers by seating guests, serving beverages and food and bussing tables.

Neil Klemme, youth development educator for Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension, said the youth working during the event were camp counselors for the club's summer camp.

Jerry Pisani, Lions Club president, said youth who worked during the event have a chance to "earn their keep" to help support the summer camp.

"The kids are getting experience," he said. "They work hard, they're talking to people of the community and the community is finding out what the camp is all about."

Klemme said the camp is open to Iron County students and 4-H group members in third through sixth grades. Donations help ease the cost for campers, including those who may not otherwise be able to attend.

Klemme said a lot of the camp counselors were campers at one time and want to give back to the camp. He said he was a counselor, too.

Pancake Day originally began as a spaghetti dinner, but the club changed it to a breakfast due to popular demand. He said about 250 people are fed pancakes each year.

There was a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction with items donated by individuals and merchants in the community.

Pisani said the club will use its portion of the proceeds to offer vision screenings at local schools and assist youth and adults who can't afford glasses.