The annual Cranbury tradition of a pancake breakfast is returning in the township to kick off the holiday season.
The breakfast, which is organized by the Cranbury Lions Club, will once again take place in the Cranbury School cafeteria next month. The annual fundraiser is set for Dec. 12 and has been a tradition for more than 70 years.
“One hundred percent of the proceeds from this event are used to fund the Lion’s Club philanthropic efforts as they come up during the year for both charitable organizations and individual emergency needs,” said Andre Mento, vice president of the Cranbury Lions Club.
The tradition returns after having to be canceled in 2020 during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The proceeds from the breakfast will go toward annual student scholarships which include the Stan Thomas Scholarships, Dr. David C. Tudor Science Scholarship, Todd M. Beamer Memorial Scholarship, and a memorial scholarship named in honor of a recently passed Lion member.
The Stan Thomas Scholarships are in honor of Thomas, a lifelong Cranbury resident who shared his time and energy with volunteer organizations in Cranbury, namely Boy Scout Troop 52, his church and the Lions Club.
The David C. Tudor Science Scholarship is in the name of Tudor, a Cranbury Lion, was a practicing veterinarian on Station Road, as well as a professor at Rutgers. The Cranbury Lions established this scholarship in his name to be given annually to a high school senior who will major in science at an accredited college and/or university.
The Todd M. Beamer Memorial Scholarship honors Beamer, a Cranbury resident and Lion, who gave his life on Sept. 11, 2001, leading other passengers in overpowering the hijackers of United Airlines Flight 93. This scholarship is given annually to a high school senior who has demonstrated citizenship in the community.
A memorial scholarship renamed each year to honor a recently passed Lion member is given each year to a student who is in financial need.
The money that is raised from the pancake breakfast also provides funds for other areas such as capital projects. All of the money raised through this event will go back into the Cranbury community.
In previous years, Lions Club members have served the public coffee, eggs and sausage in addition to making pancakes during the breakfast.
