SHAMROCKS, POTS OF GOLD, PANCAKES
Holiday breakfast at the Redwood Valley Grange
“These days, many organizations need money and are looking for fundraisers. Everyone is stretched,” notes Jini Reynolds, a member of the Redwood Valley Grange #382.
“It's a tradition for Granges to put on pancake breakfasts. It's something that's been going on for at least decades,” she smiles. “But it takes about 30 people to put on a big, successful breakfast, and none of our local organizations have enough people to make it happen.”
For that reason, the Grange is partnering with the Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County, the Redwood Valley/ Calpella 4-H and the Redwood Valley/Calpella Fire Department Volunteers to serve up an oldfashioned pancake breakfast this Sunday at the Grange Hall.
Sponsors include Dr. Karin Hudson PSY24844, Flamingo Beach, Madeline Cline Consulting, Robert Cook, Adam and Paula Gaska, Patricia Kubran, Mo Mulheren, Elaine Richard, DSR Security and Pizza Etc.
The breakfast will take place on Saint Patrick's Day — March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon. Redwood Valley/Calpella 4-H members will be bussing tables, and the remaining volunteers will be flipping pancakes, whisking the eggs and topping off the coffee cups. Regular and gluten-free pancakes will be served with a variety of syrup options, including sugar-free syrup.
“We've been making Shamrock-themed Spring crafts and centerpieces at the Grange Hall, and have practiced our pancakemaking on the newly restored griddle, so we're ready to go,” Reynolds says.
“The Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County is proud to partner with the Redwood Valley Grange and the Redwood Valley- Calpella Fire Department for our community pancake breakfast. This will be the first time these three nonprofit, volunteer organizations have teamed up to bring everyone together,” notes Teresa King, secretary and Fundraising Chair for the Humane Society.
Erin Moynahan, John King and Teresa King have worked with volunteers from the other groups to develop the breakfast menu, which consists of pancakes, eggs, bacon or sausage and coffee and juice. “We're looking forward to lots of Redwood Valley residents coming out to enjoy a great day,” she smiles. Speaking of coffee, Black Oak Coffee Roasters is donating the coffee for the event.
“The Redwood Valley-Calpella Fire District is staffed with four full-time employees and 25 dedicated volunteers,” notes Megan Turner. “We are an `all-risk' department, responding to a wide variety of emergency calls. In 2023, RVCFD responded to a record 665 calls for service,” she continues. The district's volunteers assist with fire and life safety events throughout the
year and attend regular and specialized trainings.
“Fundraisers like the Pancake Breakfast help us to purchase necessary items to better serve our community and ensure firefighter safety. We're committed to providing the best possible service to our community because it's our community as well,” Turner concludes.
Despite the fact that the mission of Granges is changing with the times, coordinating fun and rewarding events like the breakfast is a perfect activity for the 150-year- old organization.
Reynolds is hoping for a stellar turnout, and also hopes that this marks the beginning of many more community collaborations designed to support a variety of local efforts and highlight the great work being accomplished by dedicated staff, supporters and volunteers.
Tickets for the breakfast are $12 for adults and $6 for kids. Tickets may be purchased online through the Humane Society at https:// mendohumanesociety.com/ events or at the door. The Redwood Valley Grange is located at 8650 East Road.