Wooster Twp. Fire Department Pancake Day is March 4
The Wooster Township Fire Department's annual Pancake Day will be held March 4 at Triway High School.
It's that time of year again — spring is just hinting at its arrival as the coffee starts brewing and the pancakes are ready to be flipped. On Saturday, March 4, it's the Wooster Township Fire Department annual Pancake Day.
For the fundraiser the fire department serves unlimited pancakes and sausage, applesauce and beverages and has the annual raffle. Dine-in, take-out and drive-thru options will be offered, and signs will direct community members to the correct areas for either parking or drive-thru service.
The first Pancake Day was held in 1986.
"It started as a way to help offset the cost of needed equipment for the fire department without using tax dollars," Fire Chief Dallas Terrell said.
He said after that first year, recipes were tweaked and perfected, and the department now uses the same products and recipes that have been used since the second Pancake Day.
In 1986 about 600 people were served. The number of meals served grew to 2,725 in 2022, a record for the event. Approximately 10,000 pancakes were flipped last year.
The annual event is an all-day affair. Terrell said many people come to the event more than once during the day.
"Lots of people will join us for multiple meals throughout the day," he said. "Pancakes and sausage are great for breakfast, but breakfast food is great for supper too."
Every year a cash prize raffle is held along with the pancake meal.
"A lot of times people are very generous with their winnings and will even donate that back to us as another way for them to show their support and to help the cause," Terrell said.
This year the funds will be used to help build the Unmanned Aerial System (Drone) program.
"This is a relatively new program to our department and the fire service," Terrell said. "Our goal is to raise $21,000 to purchase the needed equipment to ensure that we can have a drone available whenever one is needed to assist with an emergency."
It takes approximately 70 volunteers to make the fundraiser work.
"Firefighters and their families, past Ruritan members, school kids doing volunteer work, and faithful community members all come together to make this a successful fundraiser," Terrell said.
The Wooster Township Fire Department was formed in 1940.
"The department is an integral part of the community and endeavors to protect life and property of the citizens," Terrell said. "The department provides fire-suppression operations, advanced life-support services and water-rescue operations to the community. In addition, the department provides fire-prevention education to schools and community groups and fire-inspection services to businesses."
The department consists of eight full-time and approximately 35 volunteers who serve as firefighters and emergency medical technicians or paramedics.
Find the department online at www.woostertwpfire.org and follow on Facebook and Instagram at @Wooster Township Fire and Rescue.
Wooster Township Fire Department's annual pancake breakfast fundraiser will be held at Triway High School, 3205 Shreve Road, Wooster, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Presale tickets are $5 per person, $6 at the door and free for kids under 8.
Presale meal tickets are available for purchase at the fire station, 1917 Millersburg Road, Wooster, or by contacting any member of the Wooster Township Fire Department. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Prizes include $250, $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25. Raffle tickets also may be purchased at the station, from any member of the department or at the event.
For those who want to try and avoid a crowd, Terrell said the slowest time of the day is typically between 2 and 5 p.m.
"We serve meals all day to give everyone a chance to come out and support our cause," Terrell said. "We appreciate everyone's support, no matter what time they can join us."