BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Each year, the Bucyrus community gathers for a tradition that has become far more than breakfast: the Rotary Club’s annual Pancake Breakfast. While guests come for the pancakes and fresh country sausage, the impact of the event reaches well beyond the walls of the Bucyrus High School Commons.

Serving roughly 1,400 people annually, the Pancake Breakfast is one of the Rotary Club’s largest fundraisers and a cornerstone of its mission to give back locally. What many attendees may not realize is how deeply the proceeds from this single event are woven into the fabric of the community.

A Community Effort

The Pancake Breakfast is powered entirely by volunteers. Bucyrus High School cheerleaders help keep things running smoothly, Special Olympics participants assist with to-go orders, and Interact Clubs from Bucyrus and Wynford High Schools donate their time throughout the morning. Their involvement reflects the collaborative spirit that makes the event possible year after year.

For many volunteers, it’s not just about helping for a few hours — it’s about being part of something that directly benefits their neighbors.

Turning Pancakes into Progress

Last year, the Pancake Breakfast raised just under $8,000, a strong showing that reflects continued community support. Every dollar raised from the event is invested back into the local community and into future generations.

One of the most significant projects funded in recent years was the purchase of 16 Chromebooks and Google licenses through a Rotary grant for the Salvation Army’s after-school homework program. This investment helps children who need extra support and may lack access to technology at home, with the resources they need to complete their schoolwork and boost their confidence in learning.

In addition to that major initiative, Rotary funds support a wide range of local programs and organizations, including:

  • The Backpack Program helping address food insecurity for children
  • BAY Soccer and other youth sports programs
  • Special Olympics, through both financial support and volunteer involvement
  • Junior Achievement (JA)
  • The Council on Aging
  • The Arts Council
  • Ronald McDonald House, supported through year-round pop tab collections and additional volunteer efforts
  • Boy Scout Troop programs
  • The Bucyrus Shrine Club
  • The Schrines Art Park flag project
  • Community wellness efforts, including bike repair stations 

Rotary members have also taken an active role in improving local public spaces. At Aumiller Park, they helped build the baseball fields and provided funding for a portion of the new trail and the bike station, creating recreational opportunities that benefit residents of all ages.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 53rd Annual Rotary Pancake Day will take place on February 14, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Bucyrus High School Commons.

This year, the Rotary Club is offering both event tickets and raffle tickets online, which can be found on the club’s Facebook page. Purchasing an event ticket includes breakfast and entry into the 50/50 drawing, which will be held at the end of the event and streamed live on Facebook. Raffle tickets may also be purchased separately. Event tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event, advance purchase is not required.

Raffle prizes include:

  • $1,000 cash (Grand Prize, donated by Spreng Capital Management)
  • One medium pizza per month for one year (donated by Pisanello’s Pizza)
  • Three $250 cash prizes, donated by FCBank, Advanced Fiber Technology, and J&F Construction

The grand prize drawing will be held during the first week of March 2026 and shared live on the Rotary Club’s Facebook page. Winners will be notified by phone.

Community Support Behind Rotary Pancake Day Success 

The success of Rotary Pancake Day would not be possible without the generosity of local businesses and organizations that donate time, products, and services year after year. Their behind-the-scenes support helps keep costs down and ensures that more of the funds raised can be reinvested directly into the community.

Avita Health System provides all of the juice, milk, coffee, syrup, butter, and other breakfast essentials. Mennel Milling donates 14 cases of pancake mix, while Hords supplies the hogs used for the fresh country sausage. Center Street Meat handles sausage processing, with Castle Auction covering the remaining processing costs. A-1 Printing also plays a key role by providing a van and driver to assist with the loading and unloading of supplies.

In addition to these longtime partners, the Rotary Club also extends its sincere appreciation to the event’s prize donors: Spreng Capital Management for the $1,000 grand prize; Pisanello’s Pizza for donating one medium pizza per month for a year; and FCBank, Advanced Fiber Technology, and J&F Construction for each contributing $250 cash prizes. Their generosity helps make the event even more impactful for the community.

More Than a Breakfast

While pancakes may bring people through the door, the lasting value of Rotary Pancake Day is felt throughout the year. From supporting children and families to improving parks, programs, and public spaces. This event demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together with a shared purpose.

It’s a reminder that meaningful change often starts with something simple — and grows from there.

Want to join the Rotary Club’s efforts? Community members are welcome to attend a Rotary Club lunch meeting held every Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. at the Bucyrus Public Library.