Kiwanis is an international organization more than 550,000 members strong with a presence in 80 countries. The goal of Kiwanis is to improve the lives of children one community at a time. Locally, there are four Kiwanis clubs working to make life in this community better for kids. Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, the Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear is set to host its 44th Annual Pancake Sale at the Greek Orthodox Church and Hellenic Center in downtown Fayetteville.

“The Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear has two major fundraisers every year, this being one of them,” said Bill Drewry, the club’s president. “Between the two events, we raise between $60,000-$70,000 each year that we give out to organizations that help kids in the community. Our other big fundraiser it our golf tournament.”

For just $6 per person, the public gets all you can eat pancakes and sausage. Coffee is included; orange juice and milk are available for a fee. Bring friends and family and eat in, enjoying time together without the hassle of making a meal and doing the dishes. Or, take the food to-go.

“We have a good time cooking,” Drewry said. “It is a lot of fun and does a lot in the community. We start at about 4:30 in the morning and go until 2-3 p.m.”

Mike Karaman has been part of the Kiwanis Club of Cape Fear for three years. He joked that it was his friends who convinced him to join, but he loves it so much he’s stayed and is serving as the president elect this year.

“I always knew I wanted to give back to the community,” Karaman said. “And joining a civic organization was a good way to do that. Then it becomes a fun thing when you are doing it with friends.

“This event is fun because you get to do something for other people and you get to see other people in the community you may not see all that often. We also do a lot of things as a group, so we build friendships within the organization, too.

“So this doesn’t feel like a chore. It is a fun event for us.” 

Money raised by the Cape Fear Kiwanis helps fund the Bringing Up Grades program, Better Health of Cumberland County, Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland County, Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina, Cape Fear Valley NICU, The CARE Clinic, Catholic Charities, the Child Advocacy Center, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, E.E. Smith High School mentoring program, Five Sparrows, Habitat for Humanity, Homeworks, five key clubs, Lewis Chapel Builder’s Club, the New Parent Support Diaper Program on Fort Bragg, Operation InAsMuch, the Police Activity League, Safe Kids, the Salvation Army, four scholarships, Scholastic Books, Second Harvest Food Bank, Fayetteville Urban Ministry, the USO, the Vision Resource Center and the Westminster Eyeglass program.

“The goal is to help children in the community, and we have a good time in the process,” Karaman said.

The pancake sale runs from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23. The Greek Orthodox Church and Hellenic Center is located at 614 Oakridge Ave. Call Bill Drewry at 910-627-1079 for tickets and for more information.