09-05-2025
Kiwanis set new record with Pancake Day fundraiser
May 9—The Decatur Kiwanis Club broke the record for money raised with its Pancake Day fundraising event for the second year in a row.
It raised a total of $150,421 at this year's fundraising event on Feb. 22. This surpasses the record set last year by more than $15,000.
"It is truly, truly remarkable the effort that these men and women put forth to try to raise as much money as possible to help the organizations that are represented here today," said Kiwanis Pancake Day Chairman Mark Waters upon announcing the total amount raised at a meeting honoring the funding recipients on Thursday. "It's just a passion project for this club ... so we're very, very thankful."
The total amount distributed Thursday was $113,560, after removing costs of hosting Pancake Day and other special project funding used throughout the year.
Forty-four area organizations received checks. The majority of the recipients were represented. A line snaked along the two walls of the ballroom of the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Decatur Riverfront, where the luncheon was held, as recipients were called up.
Each year, the Kiwanians choose a signature project, which they distribute a higher amount to and rally fundraising efforts behind. The club plans to give $34,500 to the city of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department for the purchase of new benches.
The club chose the project to honor former Decatur mayor and active Kiwanis member Lynn Fowler, whose goal was to install new benches throughout the city. Fowler died in May 2023.
"He was a force of nature for raising money for kids," Waters said. "... Even when he was in the hospital, he was on the phone talking to people about raising money."
The City Council needs to vote on whether the department can accept the funding, but Aaron Lang, operations for Decatur Parks and Rec, said that should not persent a problem.
Each bench costs about $3,000, so the department should be able to purchase 12 benches. Each bench will be made of wrought iron, painted black and have a bronze plaque honoring a Kiwanis sponsor.
"Everyone is very excited to continue the standard that Lynn Fowler set out for us," Lang said, noting that Fowler started the project of installing new benches years ago.
Lang said the goal would be to convert all benches in the city to the same style, and Founders Park and Rhodes Ferry Park will likely have highest priority for receiving new benches.
Kiwanis President Darrell Wates said that the club serves as the organizer for the Pancake Day events, but many people come together to make it possible.
"Last year, we set a record, and this year, we blew it out of the water," Wates said. "... So many people pour out, and the community pours out. We kind of are the method for it to run through, but it's a community thing."
Around 4,000 people attended Pancake Day this year, the 59th year the event has been held.
The club began selling T-shirts last year in addition to the Pancake Day meal tickets. Wates said the money from the T-shirt sponsorships, profits from their sale, and the ability to spread the word for the event through the shirts helped contribute to a more successful fundraiser.
Next week, Kiwanis will award $6,000 in scholarships to local students, also using the funds from Pancake Day.
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