The Helmer Nature Center, part of the West Irondequoit Central School District, is holding its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser "to-go" this year. Pancake kit sale proceeds support educational programs at the 45-acre outdoor classroom.

"Just enjoy your pancakes in your PJ's," said Andrea Monahan from the Helmer Nature Center.

The $35 pancake kit is full of products made in New York State for you to prepare at home. The kit includes a pint of pure maple syrup from Schoff’s Sugar Shack in Victor, a 32 ounce bag of New Hope Mills Gourmet Buttermilk Pancake Mix, maple flavored coffee and tea, recipe cards, and coloring books for the kids.

"We started this in 1989 and we consistently have had our pancake breakfast and served our public," said Monahan. "The school board president would actually make the pancakes and the superintendent serves. In 2019, we served about 429 people. So it is huge. It was a loss for the community to not have it last year and this year, so we thought we’d bring it back a little bit."

You can preorder your pancake kits now through March 22 at helmernaturecenter@gmail.com. Pancake kit pickup is March 27 between 1 - 3 p.m. at the Helmer Nature Center, located at 154 Pinegrove Ave., Irondequoit.

There are two miles of trails open year-round at the Helmer Nature Center. The maple trees are tapped. On Wednesdays, you can take a Maple Sugar Walk and coming up March 20 & 27 are Maple Sugar Saturdays. Tours are $5 per person. Everyone is invited to visit. There are different activities to enjoy each month.

The Helmer Nature Center is owned and operated by the West Irondequoit School District.