Autism Pancake Breakfast days away

The Autism Awareness “all you can eat” Pancake Breakfast at the Bonne Terre Senior Center is just days away. The Bonne Terre Fire Department is sponsoring the event on Saturday and will start at 8 a.m. and go until 11 a.m.

Bonne Terre Fire Chief Matt Barton said it just keeps getting bigger. There has been an outpour of support from the community.

“We have decided to do a raffle that is geared toward kids who are students attending school. We will be selling tickets at the door and draw one winner who will win a ride to school in the fire truck,” said Barton.

In addition to that, they will have several fire trucks set up that morning with the help of other departments and a 21-year-old guest speaker who is autistic. She will tell her story on how she has dealt with all the obstacles and issues that come along with being autistic.

There will be costumed characters from Star Wars, Marvel and DC Comics.

Barton said he originally came up with the idea for Autism Awareness because of his friend’s son.

“We thought about an Easter egg hunt, but decided this was more meaningful and the money will stay right here in St. Francois County. The chapter based out of St. Louis said they will keep the money local, and it will go to iPads and a few other media-type electronics to help the kids to communicate, because sometimes that is the only way they can communicate with their families,” said Barton.

A company is coming to do all the cooking, and they will have pancakes, sausage, fruit and toppings for the pancakes. It will be all you can eat and will take place rain or shine.

All participants with autism will be a “Fireman for the Day” riding in fire trucks, wearing the gear, spraying water and being welcomed in the brotherhood.

Anyone wanting to make a donation that can’t make it the day of the event can drop it off at the Bonne Terre Firehouse. Direct any questions to Chief Matt Barton at 573-631-5655, or call the station at 573-358-2200.

Renee Bronaugh is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-518-3617 or rbronaugh@dailyjournalonline.com