Earlier yesterday, locals gathered at The Meat Wagon restaurant for a pancake breakfast, a charitable event organized to support the efforts of a nonprofit aiding families grappling with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). According to a report by News3LV, the fundraiser which took place yesterday, was a meticulous orchestration of community and culinary effort whereby every dollar from ticket sales was earmarked to bolster much-needed services for those affected by FASD.
Underscoring the significance of the event, Heather Morris, the President and Director of Operations for FASD, voiced the organization's intent at the breakfast. "We are hosting a pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. We're trying to raise funds to help expand our services for next year and hoping to be able to start offering parenting classes," Morris told News3LV. Recognizing the gap in awareness, she added, "FASD is the number one cause of birth defects in the United States. A lot of people are unaware of it unfortunately and we help families to locate therapists and doctors." Throughout the event, amidst the stacks of pancakes and the sizzle of bacon, a festive spirit was lent by Santa and Mrs. Claus, who were present, distributing candy canes and fidget toys.
In the lead-up to the event, the organization issued a call to action through social media. An Instagram post from the handle nevada_fasd rallied the community with a simple message: "Hurry and get your tickets for our upcoming pancake breakfast fundraiser!" The post encapsulated the urgency of the cause and the need for community support, linking to the event details and peppering the call-out with hashtags like #fasd and #nevadafamiliesforfasdawareness to reach a broader audience.
The proceeds from the event are a lifeline intended for the reinforcement of the nonprofit's agenda. Run entirely by volunteers, the organization embarks on the mission to provide support groups, judgment-free play groups, education, and training among other resources, Heather Morris explained. It's an exercise wrought from compassion, as much about fortifying families as it is about knitting the threads of a community into a tapestry of support and understanding for those touched by the challenges of FASD, according to News3LV.
