IHOP Makes Miracles Happen on National Pancake Day

What’s better than free pancakes? Free pancakes for an amazing cause! Last week, IHOP locations celebrated National Pancake Day by giving away a free short stack of pancakes to guests, while encouraging them to make a donation UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital in return.

Funds raised during the IHOP National Pancake Day campaign help kids like 6-year-old Bella, pictured below, who was one of the youngest patients in the state of Florida to have ever received a heart and lung transplant. Since then, she has defied the odds and has endured over thirty hospitalizations since her transplant. Funds raised ensure that kids like Bella receive the best care possible at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. Bella is serving as the 2018 Local Champion for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital.

IHOP #123 on Pine Ave. in Ocala, Florida goes above and beyond to raise funds for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. This year, they hosted local celebrities to flip pancakes and collect donations at their restaurant. These celebrities including law enforcement staff, local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Ambassadors, and the Ocala mayor Kent Guinn.

IHOP managers Joan and Cathy, along with dedicated volunteer Ginger, work tirelessly to ensure that National Pancake Day is a success. Their restaurant raised over $17,000 for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital last year, earning their spot as the top location for their local CMN Hospital.

Joy and her team at IHOP #194 also enjoy National Pancake Day. This year, they had several CMN Ambassador families visit their location. They also had team members dress in a pancake and bacon costume to bring in customers to their restaurant, and having some fun in the process!

More than $530,000 has been raised for UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital since the partnership between IHOP and CMN Hospitals began 13 years ago. Thank you, IHOP for your dedicated support, and for the delicious pancakes!