Packwood holds pancake breakfast

Volunteers serve up pancakes and sausage at a fundraiser breakfast in Packwood. The event was the first organized by the city's fire department, after the local Lions Club chapter, which previously ran it, stopped meeting. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

Packwood firefighters said turnout for the pancake breakfast exceeded their expectations as hundreds of people showed up. By 9 a.m., a line stretched back to the community center's door. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

A photo of the Packwood Community Center and Fire Station. (Kalen McCain/The Union)

PACKWOOD — The Packwood Fire Department held a pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday morning, where hundreds braved the cold, the roads, and a line to the Community Center’s door for a hot meal in exchange for free will donations.

Fire Chief Jeremy Atwood said it was the department’s first time organizing the event, which was previously put on by a local Lions Club chapter that stopped meeting within the last year.

“A lot of the guys that were part of that Packwood Lions Club were also part of the department,” he said. “They brought the idea that, ‘Hey, we want to keep this going, it’s good for the community this size … and it’s a good fit for the fire department. We’ve got the griddles, we’ve got the equipment, we’ve got the kitchen.”

Overall, Atwood said turnout for the event exceeded his expectations.

“When the Lions used to do it, they’d get around 90 people,” he said. “I haven’t got a good head count, but we’re well over that. I’d say we’re at a couple hundred … hopefully we can get everybody fed.”

Whatever the head count, Atwood said he was proud to have the local support.

“I just appreciate the community coming out,” he said. “It’s a great community event.”

Freewill donations contributed to a fund for a new pumper truck, chipping away at the roughly $400-$500,000 price tag to replace the current, 20-year-old vehicle.

“This is going to help get us there,” he said. “It’s a long-term goal, but a new pumper truck is hopefully in the future … This won’t be the only thing we do, there will be a lot that goes into it.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com