By The Beachwood Pancake Affairs Desk
In light of National Pancake Day, we received this press release regarding Miss Illinois, IHOP and Children’s Memorial Hospital. Let’s take a look at each of those elements.
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***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***MEDIA ALERT***
FREE BUTTERMILK PANCAKES ON FEBRUARY 23 AT IHOP
National Pancake Day Celebration To Benefit Local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital
WHAT: In celebration of National Pancake Day, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. This year, IHOP is hoping to stack up more donations than ever before, with a goal to raise $1.75 million, for a total of $5 million five years with its National Pancake Day fundraising effort. To find a local IHOP or to donate online, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.
WHY: For every delicious short stack of buttermilk pancakes served on National Pancake Day, IHOP guests are invited to make a donation to the Children’s Miracle Network. Donations made at IHOPs in the Chicago area will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network program at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
WHEN: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010, 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
WHERE: Miss Illinois will be at the IHOP restaurant located at:
3760 N. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL
And the free pancake fundraiser is happening throughout the Chicago area and nationwide.
Fun Facts From National Pancake Day 2009:
* Pancake lovers donated nearly $1.5 million to children’s charities, far exceeding the fundraising goal.
* IHOP served more than 2.5 million free pancakes on National Pancake Day 2009.
* All of the free pancakes served on National Pancake Day would create a stack more than 20 miles high.
* Since the inception of National Pancake Day in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million and given away more than 6.1 million pancakes to support charities in the communities in which it operates.
* National Pancake Day 2009 was IHOP’s largest one-day event in the company’s 51-year history.
ABOUT IHOP
For 51 years, the IHOP family restaurant chain has served its world famous pancakes and a wide variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner items that are loved by people of all ages. IHOP offers its guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service.
The first IHOP opened in Toluca Lake, Calif. in 1958, and as of September 30, 2009, there were 1,433 IHOPs in 50 states, Canada and Mexico.
IHOP restaurants are franchised and operated by Glendale, Calif.-based International House of Pancakes, LLC and its affiliates. International House of Pancakes, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DineEquity, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).
***NOTE: For centuries, the English have ‘flipped’ for pancakes in celebration of Shrove Tuesday, which heralds the beginning of fasting during Lent. Long ago, strict rules prohibited the eating of all dairy products during Lent, so pancakes were made to use up the supply of eggs, milk, butter and other dairy products . . . hence the name Pancake Tuesday. IHOP introduced “National Pancake Day” (which always takes place in February) as a tribute to the centuries old tradition, but more importantly thank guests for their patronage and give back to the community.
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And about Miss Illinois Erin O’Connor . . . from the Beachwood library.
* “Erin O’Connor, a Western Illinois University theatre-acting major and dance minor, was crowned the 2009 Miss Illinois June 20 at the Miss Illinois Pageant in St. Charles. She will advance to the Miss America Pageant, which will be televised live on Jan. 30, 2010 on TLC,” a Western Illinois news release said.
“O’Connor (Evergreen Park, IL) was crowned the 2009 Miss Macomb on March 30. Her platform, ‘Take Care: Skin Cancer Education and Prevention,’ is dear to her heart since her mother passed away from the disease. For her talent, O’Connor danced ballet on pointe.
On Monday before the state pageant, O’Connor was presented with a key to the City of Macomb for good luck.
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Official bio.
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“The Mother McAuley High School community realized early Saturday evening that Erin O’Connor would not be crowned Miss America,” the SouthtownStar reported.
“Some 200 supporters paid close attention to the big-screen televisions at 115 Bourbon Street in Merrionette Park hoping O’Connor, of Evergreen Park, would be one of the 15 contestants to reach the semifinals . . .
“Pageant host Mario Lopez didn’t read the name of O’Connor – Miss Illinois – but Party With the Pageant, a school fundraiser with a Miss America theme, was a success nonetheless.”
* She’s the smart one here.
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* And the Chlidren’s Miracle Network.
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Comments welcome.
Posted on February 23, 2010