Volunteers needed for employee team
Imagine you’re enjoying a beautiful sunny day on Santa Fe’s historic plaza; the sun is out, and you’re surrounded by friends and family. The smell of fresh pancakes is in the air.
Well, that dream is soon to become a reality, because on the Fourth of July, United Way of Santa Fe County is once again flippin’ flapjacks at the 32nd annual Pancakes on the Plaza fundraiser. And the Laboratory, as in past years, is a major sponsor for the event, which is United Way of Santa Fe County’s largest fundraising event.
While on the downtown plaza, the public will have an opportunity to learn about the physics of pancakes, and the science of syrup by picking up handouts, distributed by the Laboratory. The handouts will include fun facts, such as the reason behind the shape of pancakes, why pancakes bubble, why syrup is sticky, and recipes that plaza-goers can take and prepare at home.
The Bradbury Science Museum’s Science on Wheels van also will be on the plaza. “It’s a way to get people thinking about how 'science is all around us' while they are waiting in line for their breakfast,” said Debra Wersonick of the Community Programs Office (CPO).
“The United Way of Santa Fe County has hosted the event for several years and they have raised more than $85,000 for the Santa Fe Children's Project,” said Wersonick. “Overall, we will have more than 60 Lab volunteers helping throughout the day. However, it takes more than 750 volunteers for the entire event.”
Volunteers are needed from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 4, to help set up, cook, distribute t-shirts, buttons, and to take down, etc. Volunteers also are needed July 3 to mix pancake batter and to help set up at the plaza. Lab employees can volunteer by contacting Wersonick at sonic@lanl.gov or by calling 5-4400. Volunteers will receive an event t-shirt and tickets for the breakfast.
According to the United Way of Santa Fe County Web site, Pancakes on the Plaza, helps to increase awareness of Santa Fe County’s chronic conditions and pools resources to fund direct, effective solutions for lasting change in the community. Proceeds are invested in the Santa Fe Children’s Project, an innovative, comprehensive community program to improve children’s success in school and life.
The event features an arts and crafts fair, live music, a vintage car show, and the Beaver Toyota Kid’s Korner, which includes face painting, fun clowns, and a Jolly Jumper. There also will be a first annual Kid’s Pajama Parade sponsored by Los Alamos National Bank.
The public can eat pancakes from 7 a.m. through 12:30 p.m.
Advance tickets for the pancake breakfast cost $5 and can be purchased at the Community Programs Office (CPO) in downtown Los Alamos. Tickets also are on sale at all banks, credit unions, United Way of Santa Fe County Office, PNM Customer Service, and Beaver Toyota. Tickets also can be purchased that morning on the Plaza for $6.
