Senior center breakfast biggest fundraiser of year

A pancake breakfast, a silent auction, a bake sale and a craft bazaar will be held Saturday at the Conway Senior Citizens Center, 1620 Donaghey. 

The events will run from 7 a.m. to noon. According to Debra Robinson, executive director, the event is the largest fund raiser of the year for the senior programs in Faulkner County.

For the pancake breakfast, the meal will include all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee or milk. 

The pancake batter is prepared and donated by IHOP as it has been for the past three years. Robinson said the pancakes taste just like those you can buy at IHOP.

“They donate the batter, and we cook the pancakes,” she said.

Last year, the center served more than 2,000 pancakes. The cost for the meal is $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Prior to the event, tickets are on sale at the Conway Senior Center, from center board members and from senior citizen participants. Tickets are available at the door on the day of the event and carry out meals are available.

“Last year, we had around 600 people. We hope to have that many this year,” Robinson said. “We have so many people who are faithful and supportive.”

To help reduce the wait time for customers, Robinson said there will be many volunteers including high school students who will be working the breakfast. 

The silent auction, held that morning, will feature a number of items including Branson show tickets, Great Passion Play tickets, Premier Jewelry, gift baskets, a Christmas tree, a Razorback gift basket, one membership and eight 30 minute personal training sessions at Conway Regional Health and Fitness as well as gift certificates to stores and restaurants and more.

“We have so many things. So many nice things,” Robinson said.

The craft sale, including the Sweet Shoppe bake sale, will be held in the north end of the building. 

“We always have a bake sale and lots of good baked stuff,” Robinson said, noting there will be candy, rolls, pies and cakes prepared by area seniors and donated by area businesses. 

Robinson said it will feature more items than ever before. She added that the ladies at the center have been working for months to prepare items. 

Proceeds from the events will go into the senior programs’ general budget to provide services to Faulkner County seniors.