The 13th Annual Pancakes for Bette fundraiser was held at Spoon River College in Canton on November 1. It was hosted by the Phi Mu Tau fraternity, which is comprised of students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program.
What was started as a way to help longtime Spoon River College employee Bette Dye with medical expenses became a way to honor her memory following her passing in 2010. “I worked with Bette for eleven years, and she served many pancakes to my students during that time,” said Todd Thompson, Diesel and Power Systems Technology instructor and Phi Mu Tau advisor. “She cared about all the students and made it a point to know them by name, and would ask about them even after they had graduated.”
This year’s event raised $903 that will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. DPST student Mitch Lambert of Kewanee was the winner of the pancake eating contest, earning him a $50 gas card, which was donated by Student Services. Caleb Rogers of Payson was the second-place winner, receiving a $25 gift card to the SRC River Roast Café, which was donated by the Café.
DPST student Tyler Heinz of Fairview won $57 in the 50/50 drawing, which he donated back.
“On behalf of the Phi Mu Tau, we thank everyone who continues to make this a successful event, with special thanks to Central Butane in Norris for the use of their grills and gas, to Performance Food Group for donating the sausage, and to the Café staff for the donation of the gift card, beverages, pancake batter, and their assistance,” said Thompson.
Pictured l-r: Aaron Mayall (DPST instructor), Caleb Rogers, Mitch Lambert, and Joe Clemens (DPST instructor).
