Having fun fundraising

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More than 350 people, not counting members, volunteers and others, turned out Saturday for the annual Pancake Extravaganza with the Easter Bunny and Friends at the Highland County Senior Citizens Center.

Executive director Mechell Frost said the 369 people paid admission and raised $1,827 for center from 8 a.m. to noon.

One hundred and thirty-one of the children that attended won Easter baskets with candy thanks to an anonymous donation, and photos that were taken of children with the Easter Bunny will likely be available for pick-up later this week, Frost said.

“It was a good turnout. Probably a few less than last year, but it was steady and we really appreciate all the people that come out and support our events,” Frost said. “But they also would not be possible with the help our of members, the volunteers, and everyone else that lends a hand.”

Senior center members primarily manned the kitchen, cooking pancakes and sausage and serving drinks, but they also helped in the room where children hunted for Easter eggs, took tickets, manned games, and stayed around to clean up afterward.

Members of the Hillsboro, Fairfield and Lynchburg-Clay National Honor Societies dressed up as characters, and helped man games and an egg coloring station. Wade Hamilton with Samaritan Outreach Services took the photos with the Easter Bunny and Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera turned out in uniform to welcome people at the front door and make sure everything ran smooth in the parking lots.

Photos for children that had their picture taken with the Easter Bunny should be ready for pick-up at the senior center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday sometime later this week. The parents or guardians of kids that had their picture taken will be notified by phone that the pictures are ready. Once they’re picked up at the senior center, they can be taken to Walgreens where, as long as you have a copy of your admission ticket for the Pancake Extravaganza, you can get a packet of 35 photos of varyings sizes for $9.99.

Upcoming events at the senior center include a one-day indoor yard sale from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, April 8. The public can stop and shop or rent tables and chairs to sell things from. Tables are $10 for senior members and $15 for non-members.

There will be a WSRW Senior Expo from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 14 that is geared toward senior citizens and is free to the public.

There is a 1950s dinner and dance from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, May 14 that will be open to the public.

Frost said a new event this year will be a performance by Patrick Julian, the Rod Stewart Illusion, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20. More details will be forthcoming.

“We like to come up with events that are fun for the community to attend and have a good time, but are also good fundraisers for us because we are a self-funded facility,” Frost said. “We try to have fun while we fundraise.”

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.

Two-year-old Phillip Shoemaker shakes hands with the Easter Bunny while his 4-year-old sister, Lilly Fugate, looks on Saturday during the Pancake Extravaganza with the Easter Bunny and Friends at the Highland County Senior Citizens Center.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/03/web1_Pancake-Extra-pic.jpgTwo-year-old Phillip Shoemaker shakes hands with the Easter Bunny while his 4-year-old sister, Lilly Fugate, looks on Saturday during the Pancake Extravaganza with the Easter Bunny and Friends at the Highland County Senior Citizens Center.
Senior center hosts Pancake Extravaganza with Easter Bunny

By Jeff Gilliland

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