MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The East Lansing Meridian Lions Club invited the public to enjoy a pancake and sausage breakfast at Henry's Place on Saturday, February 15th.

As residents came in, they donated $5 for the breakfast and to help benefit the Lions of Michigan All State Band.

Every year, the band travels to the annual Lions Club International Convention.

This year, they will be traveling to Singapore and are also scheduled to perform at the Great Wall of China and at a Lions Senior home while on tour.

Jacob Kast, a student at Ovid-Elsie School, played his trumpet to entertain residents and was eager to collect donations throughout the morning.

Kast along with other students are each required to raise $4,195 to pay for the expenses of the upcoming trip, including rehearsals, a travel uniform and a pre-band camp. This is his first time being a part of the Lions Club band.

Noreen Boes, President of East Lansing Lions Club, looked forward to all the exciting upcoming trips the band will take and has been involved with the community through exciting senior citizen projects and organizations like Matthew 25: Ministries.

"This pancake breakfast is something unusual for us," said Boes. "And again, people are coming for it. We really appreciate it, and our Treasury isn't very large. So this way we are able to give more to the All State Band this year than we would otherwise."

Henry Kwok, Owner of Henry's Place, has been involved with the Meridian Township community and appreciated hosting this fundraiser and supporting the band's efforts.

"I think it works out great, having a space for this kind of event," said Kwok. "I think it gets people really excited that we are able to host something like this to help a student raise money to go to Singapore for their trip. I think it's nice that businesses like myself are able to do these kinds of things. I think more businesses should be more involved in community, that's what makes the community great."

The East Lansing Meridian Lions Club already have their eyes set for collecting donations for the All-State Band next year in 2021.