Who knew helping out could be so delicious?
Since 2005, the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce has been hosting a yearly pancake breakfast at one of their local fire stations. It began as a way of bringing the community together, but it soon developed into much more.
“The Chamber wanted to do something that would support our local services and bring the community together with a fun and old fashioned small town feel,” explains Stephen Hampar, the President of the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce. “Thus began the Annual Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast at Fire Station 86. This event has grown to the extent that it has gained the attention of many fire stations throughout the city and beyond.”
It’s also gone on to provide an even greater gift to the community. All proceeds from the pancake breakfast are donated to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund and Fire Station 86. For many residents of Toluca Lake and its neighboring communities, buying a ticket to the Old Fashioned Pancake Breakfast has proven to be a great way to help support the families of fallen and injured firefighters. After all, who doesn’t like pancakes?
The breakfast is held at Fire Station 86 (which serves Toluca Lake) on Fire Service Day, which is the second Saturday in May. It’s a lively, well attended event that’s always fun for the entire family.
As Hampar describes it, “We draw nearly 1,000 people from the local community, mostly families with young children, who come and enjoy a ‘home cooked’ pancake breakfast with all the fixin’s. Children enjoy games and can spray an actual fire hose, under the supervision of the firemen. There are also guided tours, live music, and a raffle. All this for an old fashioned price of $5 per person for admittance.”
Individuals can help out by attending the breakfast, but local businesses lend a hand as well. “We ask for sponsorships from the local businesses,” says Hampar. “The event is hosted by the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, with support from Councilmember Tom LaBonge and the Toluca Lake Homeowners Association. What better place could there be than an organization that supports the families of someone who made the highest sacrifice to protect its citizens?”
The Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1939 to preserve and enhance the competitive economic climate of the Toluca Lake Community. The Chamber does this by undertaking positive programs to strengthen and educate Toluca Lake’s business and residential communities in matters that directly impact the growth and development of the community, promoting and assisting businesses by encouraging patronage, expanding relationships and performing charitable acts. For more information about the Chamber please visit www.tolucalakechamber.com.
By Tim Beedle, photos courtesy of the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce.