Celebrities Serve Charlottesville Pancakes on Parade Day

by Jim Hart

The sixth annual Kiwanis Dogwood Pancake Breakfast, held on the morning of the 61st annual Dogwood Festival Parade in downtown Charlottesville, was a big success in support of Hospice of the Piedmont's unique Journeys Program, which offers art therapy bereavement support activities for children and teens. A special feature of this year's event was the appearance of celebrity pancake flippers. Pictured are local TV news anchors Sharon Gregory from NBC29 (in red) and Tiffani Sargent from the CBS19 Newsplex.

Approximately 400 guests came to meet popular news radio personalities Rob Schilling (pictured with Tiffani Sargent) of WINA and Joe Thomas of WCHV, as well as Charlottesville Mayor Dave Norris and Chairperson of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors, Ann Mallek.

Newsplex anchor Dan Schutte also took a turn at the grill, guided by the experienced chefs and servers Joyce Lesich and Marc Bridenhagen (pictured) from the Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville.

A large contingent from CKI at UVA, led by Capital District CKI Governor Brian Cofrancesco, worked alongside Key Clubbers from Albemarle High School, and the Division V Lt Gov Kathy Johnson of the Waynesboro Club, to make this a thoroughly fun K-Family event in support of the children and youth served by Hospice of the Piedmont. Special "Team Kiwanis" sponsors again this year were Sam's Club, Starbucks, and Pepsi-Cola Central Virginia.