craigdailypress.com

Driving up to McDonald’s in downtown Craig on Saturday morning, the packed parking lot was an indicator of the mad house inside.

McDonald’s hosted the Substance Abuse Prevention Program's pancake breakfast, and the turnout was strong. Nearly every seat was filled, the line was continuous and the smell of pancakes hung in the air.

Jen Kenney, investigations detective for the Craig Police Department, said the breakfast typically raises between $5,000 and $7,000 for SAPP.

Tickets for the breakfast cost $3, and those who purchased them received all-they-could-eat pancakes, sausage and their choice of juice.

Kenney said all of the event's proceeds go to SAPP to fund its programs, which include the local D.A.R.E. program, donations to after-school programs and about $2,000 to the Boys and Girls Club.

Kenney said SAPP gave away four $1,000 scholarships last year.

The proceeds are also used to help fund some of the fifth quarters put on by the Bear River Young Life and to help fund Red Ribbon Week initiatives in Craig’s schools.

“We donated $200 to each of the schools that put in a proposal for what they wanted to do for Red Ribbon Week,” Kenney said. “We’ll donate to basically any of the community programs that come to us and revolve around substance abuse, prevention or healthy lifestyles in general.”

Kenney said the two Saturday breakfasts were the only fundraisers the program did all year, and she said there was no way they would be possible without the support of McDonald’s, which provided the food and service for free.

School staff, police officers, Tri-State and students from the student council helped to make the breakfast a success.

“It’s a huge donation from McDonald’s to SAPP,” Kenney said. “McDonald’s donates a lot of time and money.”

Darian Warden can be reached at 875-1793 or dwarden@craigdailypress.com