Pancakes Stacked in Support of Fire Crews

The 22nd Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Pugwash Fire Department was another huge success yesterday, with winners on three fronts.

The yearly breakfast was entirely free once again, thanks to the kind support of Home Hardware in Pugwash, and they came in numbers for the social atmosphere as much as the food. While there was no charge to get in, people freely offered donations to the fire department.

The concept, conceived 22 years ago by John VandeWeil, the then owner of Home Hardware, was a means of supporting the fire department. VandeWeil and his staff found great support from the community, and the annual event continues with the store's current management under Andrew VandeWeil (pictured at left).

The younger VandeWeil says his mother and father wanted to support the community and the fire department hit a chord. He says, "That was back in the day where they had to raise all their own money and that was a big deal here."

VandeWeil gave credit to the department for doing all the work. He added, "It's easy to do, fairly expensive but reasonable, and it's a great fundraiser that our community supports."

The firefighters cook and serve the breakfast, while Home Hardware contributes to the supplies. The business also offers a little extra by giving one dollar for every transaction conducted on Saturday at the Home Hardware Store. 

The final tally is not yet in, but the combined donations at the breakfast, with the store contribution, may total between one thousand and fifteen hundred.

The public won as most of the customers went home full and happy. Home Hardware generated some goodwill in the community, and the fire department has some much needed support in its on-going effort to stay up to date with fire fighting equipment and services. Its a win, win, win.