On April 14, St. John’s Elementary school in Campbell’s Bay invited the community for its second annual pancake breakfast, to raise funds for the student’s end of year trips.

Organized by the school’s governing board, the event had families in the community flowing in all the way from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

With a group of volunteers working hard in the kitchen, which included Mayor Maurice Beauregard as well as parents, former teachers and their kids, the event offered all kinds of tasteful breakfast goodies that people desired to feast on.

From pancakes, to homemade beans to fruit kebabs, the selection was filled with a high level of variety and deliciousness.

“It’s pretty big,” said school principal Lori-Ann Bertrand. “There’s everything for everyone.”

All the food prepared and served, from the muffin mix to the homemade maple syrup was donated by residents in the community, Bertrand said.

According to one of the main organizers Kelly McMahon, a pancake breakfast is always a great way to raise money, especially with all the generous donations flowing in.

“Pancake breakfasts have always been successful and it’s very simple to do,” said McMahon. “And everybody loves maple syrup.”

“The more donated items, the more profit the school makes for their trips,” she added.

At the end of the year, St. John’s students from pre-k to grade six will be given the chance to go on various excursions of their liking, which the school’s governing board is committed to subsidizing for them.

“Some will be going to a museum, maybe the movies or different activities that have not been finalized yet,” said Bertrand. “That’s something we couldn’t charge the students for.”

For Bertrand, the event is about more than raising money as it brings the community together and a lot of familiar faces back to the school they once frequented or worked at for many years.

“It’s good for the community,” she said. “We’ve had families from St. John’s, families from L’Envolee, which is the other school that shares this building and also community members that come in. Even some retired teachers were here this morning and it’s so nice to see them all there.”

Last year, the event was held to raise money to purchase new playground equipment for the school, according to Bertrand.

With so much involvement from the community, as far as donations and participation to events, McMahon is thankful for the resident’s constant participation at the school’s events.

“We always have a great turnout,” she said. “They trickle in. We catch all the different crowds, the young and the old.”

From left: volunteers Amber Morris, Cindy Smiley, Carter Beauregard, Kelly McMahon and Julia Smith pose for a photo in the kitchen.

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