Flapjacks were flyin’ and hotcakes were hoppin’ Sunday morning at the Marco Island Fire Department.
More than 500 pancakes were served during the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation’s old-fashioned pancake breakfast, the third pancake breakfast held to raise money to benefit families of local firefighters during illness, times of hardship, and also education.
“This most heart-warming thing to come out of this is the coming together of the community,” said Dianna Dohm, vice president of the Marco Island Fire Rescue Foundation. “We’re just so glad to see people support the firefighters.”
A line formed for the breakfast well before 8 a.m., and people began milling in to purchase their $5 all-you-can-eat pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast.
The breakfast also served as a chance for the community to learn more about the firefighters of Marco Island. With two fire trucks and an ambulance on display, firefighters gave demonstrations on the lights, hose and technology they use in the field.
Firefighter Chris Bowden gave Marco Island siblings Sophia, 5, and Garrett Lowrie, 2, a demonstration of a thermal imager while inside of a fire truck. Pointing it at their mother, Bowden explained to the children how firefighters use the technology to save lives.
“It’s an opportunity for families to see how the fire department works, see their equipment and living quarters,” Dohm said.
Firefighters, first responders and volunteers worked the different stations at the fundraiser, with Dohm noting it was the most volunteers they had at a pancake event.
“We have had a record number of people volunteer,” she said. “We have to make sure we’re staffed, just in case the firefighters go out on a call.”
With neighbors, friends and families filling each table, plates full of pancakes in hand, Dohm and others noted how great it was to see so many members of the community together in one place.
“It’s all about community,” said Dustin Beatty, an engineer and paramedic with the Marco Island Fire Rescue. “The goal is to bring the family together, come to the fire station and have a nice Sunday breakfast.”
May After Five, Marco Island Chamber
Catch of the Day: May 23, 2013
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 7
RayPray writes:
Wonderful that we have so few real fires or other emergencies to distract Marco's Bravest from these persistent community smoozing galas!
"to raise money to benefit families of local firefighters during illness, times of hardship, and also education."
Mistakenly, I guess, I thought our firefighters were already amply paid and had very generous health benefits for themselves and their kin.
I wonder what benefits do our firefighters require for the mysterious "also education" category.
Here I believed that education for their kids might be its own reward....
Islanderguy239 writes:
firefighters are working class people...blue collar people who are expected to act white collar. They all have families to support too, they work hard for their money and the foundation is somthing to help them out if they are unable to work. Great organization with great people in it.
GREAT community event to bring everyone together and cant wait for the next one! Thanks for Marco Fire Rescue and The Marco Fire Rescue Foundation for making the event happen
ajm3s writes:
I want to attend the Utilities Department for bringing people together as well. What you say, there is no Utilities Department Foundation, not even a Parks and Recreation Foundation. Geez, all your arguments to support firefighters could apply to the employees in these departments as well, and other City of Marco Island workers. Just seems some are more organized than others and consequently get more press and accolades.
I for one will cry out for the forgotten City of Marco Island employees that do not have a foundation, that provide services for its citizens that are not typically reciprocated with a pat on the back or a public pancake flap.
I am not here to discredit our safety personnel, but I am tired and wish for a fair and balanced review of all the folks that provide for the services on this island. No hero worshippers need apply.
If my perception is askew, I will reprimanded by fellow bloggers. If not, let us begin the process for giving people their due respect without distortions of professionalism.
Parkmom writes:
It was a good event and so was the cause.
But the article didn't mention how much they were able to raise.
lauralbi1 writes:
You know AJM3 and Ray Paret, this was a voluntary, Community event and we are certain you did not attend. That is your right and you are certainly entitled to your opinion.
I, for one, support these organizations, sometimes financially, but certainly philisophically.
You both blogged the same priciples in the article about the Police Foundation, we get it.
You don't like Pancakes.
Ed Issler
ajm3s writes:
Mr. Ed:
Correction: Those who go under the AJM3S moniker "certainly" did attend this event, both last year and this year. I would not miss it.
I had three delicious pancakes, 2 patties, and a helping of scrambled eggs.
Are you ill-informed? Credibility matters even to bloggers. If you wish to gain credence in this forum I suggest you review your statements.
Please understand I support the folks that provide services to this great city. My concern is that certain leaders do not meet muster based on comments they make to Council. That fear is a "professional" rationale to waste taxpayer dollars, which is outside the function of a foundation.
LOL
lauralbi1 writes:
AJM3s: I stand corrected and thank you !!!
Ed Issler
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