The Seventh Annual Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast, free to all, will be held Saturday, November 6, at the Grand Church in Kinder.
Eric Kuyper, commander of the Alvin L. Nevils American Legion Post 244 and organizer, said, “This is open to the public, 100 percent free and 100 percent free to the public.”
He is excited the event is being held at the The Grand Church again, because there is plenty of parking and easy assess for the many veterans who attend this event.
If you haven’t been to an event yet, this is the year to attend. It continues to grow and improve each year. Veterans are invited, and it’s a great way for the public to share and learn about those who have served this country. Breakfast consists of pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, Community coffee, Borden’s milk and orange juice. This year, Kuyper said, he is hoping to feed over 400 people and 150 veterans, since last year they fed 325 people and 123 veterans.
“We always have to grow,” he said.
This year’s event will feature Miss Louisiana Julia Claire Williams, as well as Miss Allen Parish Peyton Warren and Miss Jr. Allen Parish Maurie Dickey. Senator Heather Cloud and a representative from U.S. Representative Mike Johnson’s office will be attending. Kuyper said Rep. Johnson may attend in person.
And veterans will have an opportunity to receive information about veteran benefits from representatives from American Legion (AL), VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) Chapter 215 of Kinder and VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Fournet Manuel Post 12203 of Kinder.
The first 150 veterans to attend the event will receive a gift bag filled with all kinds of goodies including snacks, seasonings and special messages from local students. There are over 130 door prizes to be given out and only veterans can qualify to receive one. Reel Heroes will be providing free fishing trips for veterans, so there will be a sign-up sheet. (There is a chapter in Sulphur. It has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Reel-Heroes-
1107300145968490.)
Kuyper said he has to thank the support for this project from the community and local veterans. He thanked The Grand Church for hosting the breakfast. “Don’t forget a shout-out to Kinder Elementary, Kinder Middle, Kinder High and Oberlin Elementary for helping with cards and banners for the veterans. He said they haven’t been able to hold their annual veteran programs due to COVID, so this allows them to let veterans know they care.
He said he has plenty of volunteers, and thanked all of them for helping with the breakfast. Kuyper also thanked the local businesses and organizations who helped with sponsorships and door prizes. He said if anyone wants to give them a donation please email him at eric.kuyper@yahoo.com. He said whatever is left over is used the next year.
Masks will be optional. There will be a DJ playing music and a photo booth for patriotic family pictures. Veterans, who wish to eat away from the attendees due to health concerns, can dine in private. “We have a private room for them,” Kuyper said.
“Follow the signs,” Kuyper said. “There’s plenty of handicapped parking, and people will be ready to assist our veterans.”
