First there was caroling. Then there was ice skating. But last Saturday it was all about the food — pancakes. 

The first annual TigerThon Pancake Breakfast took place in the NASH cafeteria from 9am to 12pm over the weekend, and the entire community was welcome. With only a $5 donation required at the door, it was an inexpensive way to spend a Saturday morning with friends, fill up on pancakes, and make a contribution to an important case — the fight against pediatric cancer.

“It’s a fun and special way to fundraise,” TigerThon committee member Supritha Challa said.

Along with the caroling and skating events earlier this year, the breakfast was designed both as a fundraiser and a promotional event in the build-up to March 28’s TigerThon’s dance marathon.

Each year, TigerThon sponsors a child with pediatric cancer in the Pittsburgh area, and this year is even more special because there are two sponsored children, Gage Peters and Brody Barry. Both were able to attend Saturday’s breakfast, getting to join in the fun, snap some pictures, and meet the high schoolers volunteering their time and energy to raise money for the cause. The children in attendance also got to enjoy an array of Disney music playing over the speakers, adding to the enjoyable atmosphere. 

“It was difficult waking up early, but it was for such a great cause that I knew it would be worth it,” said Morgan Cima, a captain who arrived at NASH at around 8:00am.

Pulling off the event took much planning, but the community helped out to make it run more smoothly.

“We got all of the food donated except for the fruit, which was brought in by the captains, so all the money we raised became profit,” TigerThon leader Carli Leonard said.

Donations were taken at the door, and additional jars were placed on various tables to encourage attendees to contribute more. 

“All captains and committee members were working together to put on this breakfast event for the first time ever,” senior captain Vicky Lee said. 

As the attendees enjoyed their meals, volunteers were bustling in the back of the cafeteria to make the pancakes and keep up with the rush of orders from the cafeteria floor. Griddles lined the back wall, with a few volunteers at each, making both chocolate chip and plain pancakes.

“It’s really fun to be here working with our friends,” said Angelina Lowe, one of the captains who volunteered to do the cooking. “I’m glad to see people showing up, and I am very happy with the turnout.”

While the event was an impressive money-maker for TigerThon, bringing in $2,246 in revenue, the main purpose of the breakfast was to further publicize the dance marathon scheduled for March 28 in the NASH gym. On Saturday, some captains even took to the streets outside of NASH, holding posters about the event for passing cars to see. 

It’s certainly not too late to make a donation to the cause.  The link to the TigerThon donation page can be found here.