Breakfast open for first time in 4 years

The Waseca Lions Club returned to the tradition of its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, March 26. The organization first formed in 1927, and pancake breakfasts were among its first fundraising endeavors, making this a long-held tradition in the city. This year's was the first in four years, after the COVID-19 pandemic required a pause. Attendance was down somewhat from previous numbers, but that didn't carry over to the Lions working the breakfast. All members of the Lions Club help with the breakfast, with tasks ranging from setup, cooking and serving food, or cleanup. They also get assistance from Waseca's scouts, who handle table service. Thirteen scouts of all ages volunteered at the 2023 breakfast. “It takes the community to get this going,” said Diane Beckmann, one of the primary organizers. “And if it takes a year...” added Lucille Youngberg, another member, with a shrug.

The proceeds from the annual pancake breakfast go to several causes. The Lions Club is the chartered organization for Waseca's male and female BSA Scout troops and the cub pack, and those groups receive part of the proceeds. The breakfast also supports the Lions Club scholarships, which amount to about $3,000 given to graduating seniors, dictionaries provided by the Lions for all local third-graders, and eye services to needy kids. The Lions Eye Bank is also listed as a beneficiary of the breakfast, though the main work for the eye bank comes from donated glasses. Old pairs of glasses can be donated at Minnwest Bank, Thrivent Financial, Munson Eye Care, Dr. Akre and Clarke Optometrics, the Dennis-Steffel Funeral Home, Grace Lutheran Church, and the Waseca Senior Citizens Center. The glasses collected are cleaned and measured for strength, then provided to people in need in third-world countries.

In addition to the community members who attend and the scouts who volunteer, the Lions Club gives thanks to Kwik Trip, which donated orange juice, milk and eggs, and Owatonna's HyVee, which donated the sausages, pancake mix, and syrup, for the success of the fundraiser.