News : Kiwanis help VS FFA honor area veterans at pancake breakfast

Kiwanis members cooked for the FFA pancake breakfast Saturday at VSHS.

Abby and Will McKenna were among the first children at the FFA breakfast on Saturday.

Abby McKenna offers a bashful smile to the photographer while enjoying pancakes at FFA event.

Vinton-Shellsburg FFA member Riley Ries, whose summer included visiting Normandy Beach and other historical World War II sites, suggested to his FFA peers and advisor Louise Fleming that the chapter should honor local veterans by holding a pancake breakfast and donating the proceeds to the local veterans organizations.

The chapter agreed, but ran into an obstacle: Since they are under age 18, insurance guidelines prohibited them from handling the grills and other large cooking devices needed.

So they asked for help from the area's most-experienced pancake makers: The Vinton Kiwanis Club.

"The Kiwanis have the expertise and they were more than willing to help," said Fleming.

Several Kiwanis members arrived at the school early. Joe Wehage, Bob Moen, John Yundt and Tom Lindauer were among club members helping in the kitchen.

Yundt estimates that the Kiwanis make approximately 2,200 pancakes at most of their events. He said one advantage of Saturday's event was the ability to use the school's mixer and cooking facilities. At most breakfasts, the club members must haul those things to the event site.

The event raised more than $1,300; the FFA will donate the proceeds to the veterans during the annual Veterans Day Assembly. Riley said the event also helps to increase appreciation for veterans among FFA members.