Rotary pancakes a treat for both the tastebuds and the community

Kingston Rotary Club’s annual pancake breakfast and silent auction next weekend have lasting effects that go beyond a clean plate.

Proceeds from this year’s breakfast will be used to support the club’s community and international service projects.

The breakfast will be from 8 to 11 a.m. Feb. 4 in Kingston Church of Christ family center at 120 Spring St., Kingston.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and may be purchased from any Kingston Rotary Club member or at the door. Call Ralph Best at 376-0578 for details.

Last year’s breakfast raised about $3,800 for Rotary projects, which primarily focus on educa-tion.

Kingston Rotarians deliver dictionaries to 250-300 third-graders at Kingston, Midway and Dyllis elementary schools.

The organization sponsors the Children’s Reading Foundation of the Tennessee Valley, and it supports  Roane Imagination Library and Teachers Supply Closet.

A $1,200 scholarship is awarded each year for a nontraditional student attending Roane State Community College, and the club sponsors Roane County High School and Midway High School students attending Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, a Rotary International leadership training program.

Kingston Rotary Club also is the sponsor of Cherokee Middle School’s Interact Club.

It supports and provides judges for the Kignston Elementary science fair.

A number of Rotary-sponsored awards are presented at area schools, and the Kingston group joins with the Rotary Clubs of Harriman and Rockwood in presenting the Roane County Band Festival each fall.

Rotary International projects undertaken by the Kingston club include “Heart 2 Heart,” a program funding new water treatment systems for schools in Mexico.

The organization is also looking to form a future partnership with a Belize Rotary Club to assist with funding its service projects.

Kingston Rotary Club meets at 6 p.m. each Tuesday in 2 Chef’s at 500 W. Race St.