District 68 Bands Flip for Flapjacks in Annual Fundraiser

The sausage was sizzlin’,  the flapjacks were flipping and the music was thumping at the eighth annual Woodridge Organization of Music Parents (WOMP) Pancake Breakfast at on Saturday.

During the breakfast, the 80 volunteers expected to serve 400 people, a total of 2,000 pancakes and 1,800 links of sausage.

All the funds raised benefit the school district’s elementary and junior high bands, which includes about 300 students in seven schools.

According to Brad Payne, the elementary school band director, the money goes toward festival fees, contest fees, clinicians, transportation fees and other band expenses.

“Through this breakfast we hope to raise about $3,000 (net),” Payne said. “The money will be put to good use. Transportation to a festival can run around $2,500, and it can cost up to $3,000 to commission an original piece of music.”

 Woodridge area businesses helped to defray the costs of running the breakfast. donated coffee and cups, at donated the chaffing dishes and Consolidated Distribution Corporation (CDC) donated the pancake batter, plates, cutlery, plastic gloves, tongs, napkins and other food supplies.

Mike Grecco, WOMP president, works for CDC and helped coordinate the donations.

“CDC is always excited to help the community and a great grassroots cause like this,” said Grecco. “WOMP is excited to see parents and students from all the Woodridge schools volunteering and helping make the program a success.”

For the $6 entry fee, patrons enjoyed sausage and unlimited pancakes, juices and coffees. The homemade pancakes included plain, whole grain, cinnamon, chocolate chip, banana and blueberry.

In addition to great food and music, there were raffles and silent auctions.