For the past 10 years Truckee Firefightersand#8217; Charitable Fund, Inc. has been serving pancakes prior to the Fourth of July Parade in Truckee. It started when members and families of Truckee Fire Protection District decided to go out on a limb. They initiated a fundraiser to support a Scholarship Program for Truckee High School to encourage graduating seniors to pursue careers in the Fire and Emergency Medical System fields. This organization is made up by all employees of Truckee Fire Protection District who volunteer their time, giving back to the community and raising money for things for which ordinary tax dollars canand#8217;t be used. The organization meets every month and is a current non-profit 501(C3) charity.

The first breakfast was a community success but didnand#8217;t pay for itself after renting a griddle, tables, chairs and buying supplies. We then realized we would need community support in order to make the event an actual fundraiser, spawning the local business donation which fuels this great community event. Local businesses that donate have the choice of buying items from a list or giving a cash deductible donation for the purchase of such items. The average cost of the breakfast is $3,500, which will feed nearly 1,500 people. Since its inception the price has remained $3 for children and $5 for adults.

Eight years ago two employees at Truckee Fire Protection District volunteered their time and made a pancake trailer that cranks out nearly 40 pancakes a minute, which supplied last yearand#8217;s record of more than 4,500 pancakes in just three hours. The trailer has two large griddle surfaces and is equipped with old retired lights and siren.

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Some of the latest attractions of the Fourth of July Breakfast include: A static EMS helicopter on display, fire engines, fire prevention information, kidand#8217;s fun slide, firefighter T-shirts and hats for sale along with the and#8220;Best Pancakes in Town.and#8221;

Over the years the money raised has supported great community functions such as the Senior Citizens Breakfast, Roy Waters Memorial Scholarship Program, Restoration of Truckeeand#8217;s first fire engine and#8220;Old #1and#8221; and the Cancer Walk for Life.

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This yearand#8217;s breakfast will be starting at 0700 hours (7 a.m.) at Station 92, 11473 Donner Pass Road, running until 1000 hours (10 a.m.). Come early this year. Truckee Firefightersand#8217; Charitable Fund, Inc. will be serving breakfast free of charge to show our appreciation to the Truckee community for all the support during the past 10 years.