Brian Hagberg
RUSSELL, Pa. – The Blue Star Mothers of Kinzua PA 203 held a Donation Breakfast at Praise Fellowship in Russell Saturday to help raise money for the Veterans Fund.
Dozens of hungry donors turned out at 8 a.m. for a pancake breakfast cooked and prepared by the Blue Star Mothers. A basket raffle was also held during the event to raise additional funds.
“The county is really, really responsive to supporting the veterans,” Blue Star Mothers’ Lou Nordin, who organized the breakfast event, said. “We (even had) people from Panama (NY). That’s quite a long drive to come down and support.”
Cadets from the Civil Air Patrol presented the colors to open the event.
“They enjoy doing stuff like this out in public and showing (people) what they’re learning,” CAP Commander Peg Matson said.
While the group was happy to see the cafe at PF nearly full to capacity, there was one table intentionally left empty. A table with a single chair, draped in a white tablecloth and with an empty place-setting was set in the middle of the room to serve as a reminder of those who are unable to attend.
“That table is for those who can’t be with us,” Nordin said. “Whether killed or missing in action or serving overseas. It’s in honor of them and their service.”
In addition to the breakfast, which included pancakes, eggs, fruit, potatoes, and an assortment of baked goods, a basket raffle was held which ended up being bigger than Nordin anticipated.
“When I was doing the basket collection I had like 24 (baskets),” Nordin said. “We ended up with 33.”
