PancakesPancakes, SuccessSuccess, ThanksThanks

Last Saturday, March 22nd, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio put on a pancake breakfast fund raising event. It was a huge success. I was very moved by the outpouring of support I received from family, friends, and colleagues who attended, donated, and supported this. Over 170 people sacrificed their free time and hard earned money to come to F&S Harley Davidson in Dayton on a Saturday morning to eat pancakes and support the Epilepsy Foundation. Some came from as far as Kentucky, Columbus, and even Toledo. The event went off without a hitch, due to the efforts of an army of volunteers – all working together to make the day successful. We had numerous organizations donated items for raffle, supplies for the event, and cash for the cause. Kevin Tibbs, from Boston Stoker, was on sight managing the coffee he donated. Jeff Stolzenburg was there at 6:30am to let us in to set up. Travis Brewer led a jeans day at Liberty Savings Bank that raised almost $700. He and his wife Corin, also captured the day in photos, which I will soon place on the web as well. They also donated an event package from their own business, Brewer’s Memory Makers. Local photographer, Jim Crotty, donated a beautiful print for raffle. Molly Mahoney rallied her fellow teachers and students at HV Bear Elementary in Miamisburg leading to several hundred dollars in donations and countless other contributions to the event. She also went out and solicited donations from Kroger, Verizon, MaryKay, Dr. Downer, and Longaberger. Yvonne Reese, my friend and neighbor, picked up donations from SquareOne, Kettering Medical Massage, and Innovative Interchange. She also brought her family, her sisters, and their families to join in the fun. Jon Brooks, from Hafenbrack Marketing, not only designed the flyer for the event, he and his youngest son Jake joined us for pancakes too. Phil Thorn from Full Tilt Interactive donated money to the cause, and David Esrati, owner of The Next Wave, was kind enough to donate the hosting for PancakesPancakes.com. The Springdale Lions club assisted by donating food items and supplies for the event. F&S Harley provided us with an amazing location for the event. Most of the employees came back and joined us for pancakes. Best of all, they held the Easter Egg hunt right in the middle of the showroom floor. Fortunately, no motorcycles were harmed in the making of this fund raiser. I had a vision of motorcycles falling like dominoes, and liquidating the whole day in the process. Thankfully, all went well with the Egg Hunt and all went even better with the event as a whole. In total we raised almost $4,000, all while enjoying the company of friends old and new. I can not overstate how much it means to me to know that there are people out there who care, and I am lucky enough to know a lot of them. Think that people can’t change the world? I know 170 pancake eaters who might argue otherwise. Thanks again to all who contributed. My family and I are truly blessed to know so many who care so much. Considering we pulled this together in a few weeks, I am very optimistic about what we can do next year. Thanks.

PancakesPancakes.com