FARMINGTON — Several families gathered early Thursday morning at the Homestead Bakery to enjoy a free pancake breakfast.
It was not only a special treat for children during their April school vacation, but also provided a meaningful connection with children and families in observance National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This year’s theme was “Strengthening Families and Communities.” Each child was given a blue pinwheel, a symbol of childhood.
“I think it’s important to provide opportunities kids don’t normally have,” Maine State Trooper Mathew Casavant said. “Some positive impact. School, home is positive, but they need constant reinforcement.”
Casavant also is chairman of the Franklin County Children’s Task Force Board of Directors.
The Task Force provides other unique opportunities to celebrate children and families such as the Children’s Festival and the Father-Daughter Dance, he said.
Before reading “Hands are not for Hitting,” and another selection to the children, Casavant enjoyed some time with his own daughter, Emma.
The breakfast, co-sponsored by the Children’s Task Force, the Farmington Rotary Club and the Homestead Bakery, draws more than a couple hundred people, said Laurie Danforth, who works at the restaurant.
“It’s good to see so many young kids out for breakfast before 9 a.m. and all the volunteer help,” she said.
A combination of Rotary Club members, Children’s Task Force employees and volunteers, restaurant staff and additional volunteers served pancakes, eggs, home fries and other items from 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Salem Hughes from Livermore didn’t let her family forget the special day.
“She’s reminded us all week,” father Tony Hughes said as he and his wife, Sara, enjoyed breakfast with their three daughters, Salem, Ophelia and Noelle.
When Renee Blanchet, executive director of the Children’s Task Force, spoke to the Rotary Club a few years ago about providing opportunities for children, Rotary members were ready to help, she said.
“We do it to help support children and the community,” Tom Sawyer, Rotary president, said.
“The breakfast event is also held to raise awareness that it takes a total community effort to support our Maine families and children,” Blanchet said.
In 2003, the breakfast was held at the Sweatt-Winter Day Care. Casavant read to the families then and continues to do so, she said. The Homestead Bakery offered to host the event.
The blue pinwheels were offered to children as they entered the restaurant and were greeted by Logan and Aaron Whitley.
abryant@sunjournal.com
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- Gwen Lesperance of Farmington, left, receives some syrup and berries for her pancakes from Christine Tropeano on Thursday during a free breakfast held for children and families at the Homestead Bakery in Farmington. Farmington Rotary Club members served pancakes, eggs and home fries to a line of children and families.
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- Tony Hughes of Livermore helps his daughters, Salem, center, Ophelia, right, and Noelle as their mother, Sara Hughes, not pictured, goes for juice at a free breakfast held at the Homestead Bakery in Farmington on Thursday morning.
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- Maine State Trooper Matt Casavant, who also is chairman of the Franklin County Children’s Task Force, spends some time with his daughter, Emma, before reading to children during a pancake breakfast held at the Homestead Bakery in Farmington.
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- Farmington Rotary Club members and their friends helped the Franklin County Children’s Task Force serve a pancake breakfast at the Homestead Bakery on Thursday morning to children and families. Pictured serving, from right, are Michael Mansir; state Sen. Thomas Saviello, R-Wilton; and Maine State Trooper Matt Casavant.
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- Debbie McGrane and Rileigh Blanchet, right, from the Franklin County Children’s Task Force, pour juice for Barbara Welch and Logan Whitley, left, at the pancake breakfast held Thursday morning at the Homestead Bakery in Farmington.
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- Farmington Rotary Club President Thomas Sawyer enjoys a moment with his wife, Veronica, and grandson, Rowan McCarthy, during a pancake breakfast held Thursday morning at the Homestead Bakery in Farmington.
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