By JOYANNA LOVE/Senior Staff Writer

Those wanting to have a good breakfast while helping a good cause will have an opportunity on Feb. 9 at the 61st Annual Pancake Day at First United Methodist Church in Clanton.

Each year men in the church host the all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast as a way to raise funds to help the community.

The event is held in the Helen Parrish Activity Center directly behind the main sanctuary building from 5 a.m. to noon. Cost is $5 per person. Tickets are available at the door.

Ronnie Mitchell, who is a part of the organizing group, said teams will start at midnight the day before cooking sausage and preparing for the event.

Mitchell said funds from past events have been used to help plant a church in Mexico and to support local organizations including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, baseball teams, Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center and others.

Some of the funds are also kept in a fund for helping people in emergency situations that arise throughout the year.

“When we see a need, we try to help,” Mitchell said.

A group of 30 to 40 people are involved in making the event a success each year. Dan Nolan has served as the chair of the event for the past several years.

“He does a great job,” Mitchell said. “It takes a good bit of work and organization.”

He said the community members that come to the event each year enjoy it.

Mitchell also enjoys working with the team preparing and serving the food.

“It’s good to see men come together and do something beneficial,” Mitchell said.

First United Methodist Church is located at 207 Eighth St. N in Clanton.