For almost 50 years the village/town of Massena, New York has supported the annual Massena Rotary Pancake Day/Auction. This fundraiser, held in early Spring, is an enthusiastically anticipated event. Many consider Rotary Pancake Day to be an indication that Spring will soon arrive. Attending the event, bidding on auction items, visiting with old friends, eating good food is enjoyed by all.
Each year 1200 to 1500 local citizens along with more than 100 volunteers put on the event and raise between 14,000 to 17,000 USD. The money supports dozens of local organizations and projects that benefit both the Massena New York community and International Rotary projects.
Unfortunately, our pancake day this Spring was cancelled due to the pandemic. So, the big question was what do we do now? Rotarians are famous for thinking outside the box and a new plan for an amended pancake day was developed. With help from a local church, a tent rental company and other members/ organizations within the community, a very different plan for pancake day was developed.
Each year 1200 to 1500 local citizens along with more than 100 volunteers put on the event and raise between 14,000 to 17,000 USD. The money supports dozens of local organizations and projects that benefit both the Massena New York community and International Rotary projects.
Unfortunately, our pancake day this Spring was cancelled due to the pandemic. So, the big question was what do we do now? Rotarians are famous for thinking outside the box and a new plan for an amended pancake day was developed. With help from a local church, a tent rental company and other members/ organizations within the community, a very different plan for pancake day was developed.
 |  |  |
Approximately 480 meals were purchased and picked up at a drive-through location with Rotarians doing the cooking and assembling box meals with pancakes, sausage and real maple syrup. At $5 a meal, $2400 was raised. | Additional funds came from at50/50 draw of approximately $500, a homemade donut sale (donuts made and donated by a local community member) which netted about $250, $400 from the sale of advertising that was displayed on social media and on a sticker attached to each meal, and a variety of generous donations. | Additionally, each meal came with a color handout talking about Rotary and how much it supports the local community. The event raised over $4,000 USD on one Saturday morning. |
When it comes time to raise money, whether it be inside or outside the box, Rotarians can still make it happen.