The Partial Observer by Bill Waller

Cooperstown Rotary Preps for 67th Pancake Day Fundraiser

Rotary Pancake Day is a Cooperstown tradition. The Rotary Club of Cooperstown has been serving pancakes, sausage and coffee each Election Day since 1957.

This 67th year, Rotary Club members will again be at the Cooperstown Veterans Club on Main Street, cooking up a batch for all our hungry neighbors. Since the 1957 Election Day, when 375 customers were served, Rotary members and their helpers have continued this tradition, serving more than 20,000 local voters and non-voters alike. Club members set up and clean up, cook and serve, taking care of customers from the 7 a.m. breakfast, through lunch, and up to 7 p.m. closing at dinner.

The club is thankful for all who contribute, from the village by hanging our Main Street banner, to those who donate supplies.

Funds raised, since the Pancake Day’s inception, have gone to support the numerous local organizations through Rotary Club grants and allocations. Some of those supported are the Cooperstown Food Pantry, the Angel Network, Red Bursey Summer Program, The Farmers’ Museum Children’s Program, Cooperstown Art Association, Cooperstown Friends of the Parks and other local groups.

The Rotary Club of Cooperstown meets weekly at the Christ Church Parish Hall and has more than 75 members. Weekly speakers discuss local and area topics such as health, environmental issues and charitable organizations.

The Rotary Club sponsors the Rotary Youth Exchange Program, where Cooperstown students are given an opportunity to study a year abroad and Cooperstown Central School gets to host students from another country. The club also sponsors the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, where CCS juniors get to experience an opportunity to enhance and develop their leadership skills.

As a part of Rotary International, the club supports worldwide efforts to eradicate polio, deliver clean water to Uganda, and other international health and educational services to aid its worldwide mission.

Sixty-seven years is a long time for an event, and we are proud to continue this tradition where Democrats and Republicans can come together for breakfast. We hope to see you there.

Bill Waller is the president of the Rotary Club of Cooperstown.