The Sunflower Diversified Services pancake feed has long been a popular annual event. But this year it set a record with 611 people served at the all-you-can-eat, pancake-and-sausage dinner.
There were 575 participants served last year.
“This year’s record-setting turnout is so gratifying to the people we serve and to our staff,” said Connie Oetken, director of development. “It demonstrates strong community commitment to people who need a helping hand from their neighbors.”
Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.
“We raised some much-needed funds for programs and equipment that are not financed by tax dollars,” Oetken said. “All proceeds remain in the five counties we serve in central Kansas to directly help children and adults who need Sunflower.
“Equally important,” Oetken continued, “our Chris Cakes pancake dinner is a great way to raise even more awareness about the needs of people with disabilities and delays.”
For the first time, a raffle was held in conjunction with the pancake dinner. Debra Brockel won first and fourth places; her prizes were $200 in EPPI gift certificates and a $100 gift certificate for Pro-Tint, respectively.
Other winners and their prizes were: Alma Flick, second place, won four $50 gift certificates – one each for Perkins, Delgado’s, Classic Inn and Applebee’s; Virgil Kober, third place, won a $100 Zip’s gift certificate; Casey Robison, fifth place, took home a $50 Walmart card; and Vicki Batchman, sixth place, received a $50 Dillons card.
“Sunflower appreciates every person and business that bought tickets to the dinner or for the raffle,” Oetken said. “And we couldn’t do this without our volunteers, the Prince of Peace Parish Center and raffle sponsors.
“In addition, Scott Donovan and DJ Cain kept the crowd entertained during the dinner,” she noted. “It is always heartwarming to see this many people come together for the benefit of people who need a helping hand.”
Sunflower is in its 51styear of serving families.
