But last Saturday, members of the group geared up even earlier than usual for a pancake feed at the high school cafeteria.

While area wrestling teams, families and fans came and went, Civic Club members kept the griddle hot at least through a good part of the morning.

Chris Donnelly, president of the newly formed Civic Club, said members founded the local organization in October after the Kiwanis and Optimist clubs disbanded.

Response has been positive.

“We have a good membership,” Donnelly said. “It’s already bigger than either of the other clubs were separately.”

To date, about 40 members have plunked down their $30 dues.

Ted Grinter, a member of the club and a former Kiwanis member, said an advantage of being a purely local organization is that all the funds can stay in the area.

“We got tired of sending money to national,” he said.

Nancy McDougal, vice president, said all of the money raised will stay here.

“All of our money goes back into the community to benefit the youth,” she said.

Currently, members are taking applications for teams to participate in a four-person scramble golf tournament to be held in Ozawkie April 22. Anyone interested in participating can contact Grinter, (785) 749-1325 or Chris Donnelly, 845-2500.

A basketball, autographed by members and staff of the 1999-2000 University of Kansas basketball team, is being raffled this week, and the winner’s name will be drawn Saturday during halftime of the final game of the Tonganoxie Invitational Basket-ball Tournament.

So far, projects have had good response from members. About half of the group’s members helped at the pancake feed Saturday.

The members are good about coming out for events, Donnelly said.

“We’re open to everybody,” Donnelly said.