I want to thank The Meridian Star for helping us promote The Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian’s Pancake Jubilee. Over 60-odd years, the Pancake Jubilee has become a Meridian tradition and one in which I am proud to participate. I am aware that you get lots of requests to do stories on fundraising events and that the space you can allocate to promoting these hometown events is limited. But without your help in getting the word out, the Pancake Jubilee would not be the success that it is each year.

Each ticket we sell provides funds that the DTOC uses to support youth programs in Meridian and Lauderdale County including Boys & Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Salvation Army Angel Tree, Shop With A Cop, Toys For Tots, Cans For Kids, and many others. We support kids taking educational trips through their schools. We support team sports programs such as Tee-Ball, Little League and Girls Softball. We have helped children participate in Championship activities such as The Little Britches Rodeo, Junior Golf, Junior World of Golf, Cheerleading Championships, and Little League Championships.

Last year, after many years of effort, the DTOC fully funded and endowed The Bill Herndon Scholarship fund at Meridian Community College. This scholarship is specifically for teenagers who have stumbled, but are putting their lives back together and want to make something of themselves. The scholarship is named for a member of the DTOC who passed away, but cared greatly about kids getting good educations. Bill was known for his willingness to help young people trying to get back on the right track. I am very proud of our club for accomplishing this.

None of this would be possible without organizations like The Meridian Star supporting and promoting our Pancake Jubilee. It sounds kind of silly, but the success of The Downtown Optimist Club has been built one pancake at a time. And hopefully, everyone enjoyed eating the pancakes as much as we’ve enjoyed making them! Once again this year, the people of Lauderdale County turned out in record numbers and supported our efforts. On Tuesday, Feb. 24th, we fed over 2,200 people the best pancakes in the world and because they came and ate our pancakes, we can continue helping as many children as possible.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.



Paul H. Tarver

Meridian