The Daily Gamecock

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: The Mix

USC students are served their free shortstacks at IHOP on Tuesday.

There are few things in life that are better than pancakes. One of them happens to be free pancakes.

Yesterday, IHOP took advantage of this universal truth and held their third annual National Pancake Day Celebration. Hoping to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network, IHOPs nationwide offered a free short stack of pancakes to all customers, asking for donations in return.

The Children's Miracle Network works toward advancements in medical care for pediatric patients, and the 170 hospitals it supports treat an estimated 17 million patients every year. While IHOP's goal of raising $750,000 for the organization through the power of pancakes alone was admittedly lofty, whatever money was raised is in support of a worthy cause.

Not only did IHOP use National Pancake Day as an opportunity to raise money for children in need, but it also attempted to support American political efficacy with its carbohydrate-laden celebration. While the fundraiser is normally held on Fat Tuesday, which occurred on Feb. 5 this year, IHOP postponed its celebration a week "in the interest of embracing the democratic process," according to their Web site, because the Pancake Day Celebration would have coincided with Super Tuesday.

With over 1,300 restaurants participating in the celebration, IHOP expected to raise record-setting amounts of money. In 2007, more than one million pancakes were given away, and IHOP raised over $625,000 for their cause. With the free pancake promotion running from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., IHOP hopes to raise $50,000 every hour for the Children's Miracle Network, a true test of just how much generosity can be inspired by buttermilk.

As of 4 p.m. on Pancake Day, IHOP was $715,000 short of reaching its goal.

For IHOP, the National Pancake Day Celebration isn't simply a good deed, it's a means of increasing profits as well. The allure of free pancakes brings people into the restaurant, and they almost always order more.

Paul Ryan, a second-year international studies student, enjoyed his free pancakes, but he said, "I never would have eaten at IHOP on a Tuesday afternoon had it not been for the free food and the chance to do a good deed."

The restaurant maintained a constant flow of patrons during the day.

While soliciting donations through pancakes isn't the most effective way to raise money for a cause, IHOP's National Pancake Day Celebration was highly effective in garnering attention for the Children's Miracle Network - far more attention than it would have received had IHOP simply written a check to the organization.

Even though IHOP doesn't have the political influence it hoped for, it does hold the potential to change the lives of children. With a little generosity from patrons and a lot of extra syrup, IHOP will hopefully be successful in raising close to a million dollars for its cause.

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