By Andra Bryan Stefanoni
news@joplinglobe.com
PITTSBURG, Kan. —
Several fire engines lined the parking lot at Applebee’s on Saturday morning, but there was no smoke.
Rather, about 30 firefighters and the chief himself were inside serving up pancakes, doling out butter and syrup, and busing tables, all decked out in their off-duty uniforms of black pants and bright red polo shirts.
In what seems to be a recurring theme with firefighters — serving others — their goal was to raise funds for someone in need.
That someone is Angela Thornton, daughter of firefighter Ken Thornton and Via Christi Hospital employee Terri Thornton. Angela Thornton lost an arm in a car accident earlier this summer, and the family has incurred medical expenses.
To offset those expenses, the Pittsburg Fire Department joined with about 10 employees from Via Christi’s radiology department to put on an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser.
Applebee’s manager Walter Emmons said the Pittsburg restaurant, like those in Joplin, Mo., and other neighboring towns, do several fundraisers a year as a way to help the community.
The rules are simple: Fundraising groups provide the labor, do the marketing by selling advance tickets, and contribute a nominal fee to the restaurant to cover the cost of a cook for the morning as well as the staples — pancake batter, drinks and the like.
Applebee’s, in turn, provides the restaurant
It’s no secret that local firefighters know how to turn out meals, and Saturday morning’s event was no exception.
Firefighter Terry Lucchi said it was well worth it: Several hundred people ate, and the group presented $2,600 to the Thornton family.
As firefighter Bryan Main described it, the event was raising money while at the same time bringing the community together over plates full of something nearly everyone enjoys.
“We have a reputation for helping others, and this time it’s nice to be able to help one of our own,” he said.
