Syrup for scholarships

William Davis, 9, left and Madeline Davis, 7, talk with Santa Claus at the Ocala Kiwanis Pancake Day on Dec. 13. The annual event is a fundraiser to sponsor youth for summer sessions at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest. [Photo by Andy Fillmore/Ocala Gazette]

Hundreds of people turned out Saturday at the Eighth Street School cafeteria to enjoy pancakes and visit Santa at the 67th annual Ocala Kiwanis Pancake Day.

A Kiwanis Club member said guests were “elbow to elbow” around 9 a.m. and ticket sales a couple hours later were around 400 tickets. The hopes were that the final tally would equal last year’s total of around 600.

The event kicks off the countdown to Christmas for many and raises funds to send youth to summer sessions at Camp Kiwanis in the Ocala National Forest, a joint endeavor of the Kiwanis Club of Ocala and Marion County Public Schools.

The Kiwanis Club of Ocala Facebook pages states that each camper scholarship allows “a child to attend summer camp at Camp Kiwanis at no cost for themselves. We are focused on enriching all children and providing ample opportunities regardless of accessibility.”

A Kiwanis official overseeing the breakfast event estimated that camper sponsorships cost as much as $400 each.

Children including William Davis, 9, and Madeline Davis, 7, discussed their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus while their parents, Marina and Rob Davis, stood nearby. Volunteers Violet and Zaidan distributed children’s books during the event.

Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano was on hand and was clearly impressed by the longevity of the annual community event.

To learn more, go to k01215.site.kiwanis.org and fb.com/kiwanisclubofOcala