Flapjacks And Fire Safety: Pancake Breakfast Returns To Mokena

MOKENA, IL — Residents in and around Mokena can start preparing to get their flapjack fix, as the Mokena Fire Protection District and Mokena Lions Club are back for their annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House from 7:30 a.m. to noon Oct. 3.

Griddle grandmasters will be serving pancakes piled up high, searing up the sausage and forking over fresh fruit, all while participants get a chance to learn more about fire safety from the Fire District and help contribute to people and organizations supported by Mokena Lions Club.

This year will mark the fifth that the Fire District and Lions Club have teamed up for the event, said Mokena Fire Protection District Chief Howard Stephens.

"The Fire Department had their Open House Pancake Breakfast in October, which coincides with Fire Safety week. And the Lions Club historically would have their Pancake Breakfast in April," Stephens said. "It worked fine for both organizations, but a few years ago we decided to join forces and do one Pancake Breakfast so that both organizations can team up and help each other in talking to the community and serving the community."

Stephens said there will be one noticeable difference at this year's event: Seating will be held outside of the Mokena FPD Station, located at 19853 Wolf Road, to help protect against the spread of COVID-19.

"We're going to be setting up tables outside, and we're going to be setting up some portable tents to enhance the seating in the event somebody doesn't want to sit in the sun," Stephens said. "So it's going to be a little different this year, but we're pushing through with it."

Mokena Lions Club Event Coordinator Israel Smith said the funds that are raised during the event go directly back into the community through the various services offered by the Lions Club and the many organizations it supports.

"Leader Dogs for the Blind is a big one [that Lions Club supports]. Also Heartland Service Dogs that is local in Mokena is another big one that we support," Smith said. "There are youth camps that are put on by Lions. All our funds that we raise stay local."

The Mokena Lions Club also helps support Lions Club of Illinois, which has been assisting places with food, water and other resources hit by natural disasters, Smith said.

But it's not just the Lions Club helping others; rather, it's a whole community effort to help make the Pancake Breakfast a success. Country Charm in New Lenox donates the pancake batter, Berkot's Super Foods in Mokena donates the sausage and Edible Arrangements in Mokena donates the fruit cups. Egg Cetera Cafe in Mokena donates the juice and milk, and An English Garden in Mokena helps complete the ambiance with table setting arrangements.

But what's the secret ingredient to make the Pancake Breakfast complete?

"It must be the elbow grease," Smith said. "We're mixing Lions and fireman making and serving our pancakes and our sausage. ... It's really a local community event where people and businesses come together to help out. And there are some great pancakes, for sure."

The Pancake Breakfast and Open House is a free event for the pubic. Donations are appreciated, and there will be a collection for canned and non perishable goods to help benefit the Frankfort Township Food Pantry.

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