The Vermilion Fire Department welcomed families from across the community Saturday for its “Pancakes & Pictures with Santa” event, marking the department’s first pancake breakfast since 2018.
Fire Chief Bill Brown said the event came together quickly but filled an important role of bringing the department back into the community in a more visible, family-focused way.
“This is something that just kind of came together,” Brown said. “We haven’t done a pancake breakfast since 2018, and it’s nice to give back to the community and do something for the kids. That’s really what this is about, being more open and being out there more.”
The event featured free pancakes, visits with Santa, a photo booth, and a steady flow of families throughout the morning. Donations were accepted but not required.
Fire Marshal Rodney Johnston said the breakfast was organized by the Vermilion Fire Department Social Club, which raises money throughout the year to support community initiatives.
“This is just for the community. Everybody’s welcome. It’s free of charge,” Johnston said. “If people want to leave a donation they can, but it’s really about giving back.”
The pancake breakfast is the start of a busy holiday stretch for the department.
On Wednesday, December 17, from 6 to 8 p.m., the Vermilion Fire Department will partner with the Kiwanis Club of Vermilion to host a Christmas Dinner Giveaway at the fire station, 1041 Douglas Street. The giveaway will provide spiral-sliced hams, dinner fixings, rolls, and dessert to Vermilion residents on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
The following day, firefighters will assist with Operation Christmas Joy on Thursday, helping pack holiday food baskets for local families.
Johnston said the fire department and Kiwanis have partnered on similar efforts in the past, with support from local businesses helping make the events possible.
“We’re supplying the hams, Kiwanis is supplying the rest, and we’ve partnered again with Giant Eagle,” he said.
The department will close out the holiday season on Saturday, December 21, when Santa makes his annual trip through Vermilion neighborhoods aboard a fire truck. It’s an event that has become a long-standing tradition for local families.
After the holidays, Johnston said firefighters will take time to regroup before meeting early in the new year to begin planning community events for 2025.
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