Hurley Lions Club holds annual pancake breakfast

By BRYAN HELLIOS

bhellios@yourdailyglobe.com

Hurley — The smell of sizzling butter and frying flapjacks filled the Iron County Memorial Building during the Hurley Lion’s Club annual pancake breakfast on Sunday.

Jerry Pisani, club president, said they have been doing the pancake fundraiser for “way over 20 years.”

“The revenue we receive from this is mostly donated to 4-H Summer Youth Camp in Manitowish Waters,” he said.

With roughly about 200 people expected to come to the event, Pisani said it is a lot of work to set everything up. Students in the 4-H program help out at the event and work to help offset their cost to go to camp, he added.

“It has worked out ideally for both the Lions Club and the youth camp,” he said. “We’re not just writing out a check to them they’re earning it.”

According to the University of Wisconsin’s website, the summer camp is available for youth in grades third through fifth. Campers have a week to build and create stronger friendships while getting to know each other. The camp creates opportunities for older students to “step into leadership roles and serve as role models and mentors to the youth placed in their care.”

Riley Kangas, senior at Hurley High School, said she went to the youth camp when she was younger and has been a cabin counselor since ninth grade.

“I’ve been helping out even further since eight grade,” she said.

Kangas said events like the pancake feed bring people together and helps create awareness for their cause. She encourages people to involve themselves with improving the community and realize some of benefits which come from joining organizations like 4-H or the Lion’s club.

“It’s a really fun opportunity to put yourself out there doing certain activities and learning more about yourself,” she said.