A beloved North Idaho tradition returns this Saturday as the Sam Owen Fire District holds its 24th annual pancake breakfast fundraiser, giving the Lake Pend Oreille-area community a chance to support the volunteer firefighters who protect their homes and families.
The breakfast takes place at the Sam Owen Fire Station, where crews clear the apparatus bay to make room for the community. “We have table and chairs set up in the fire station. We move all the vehicles out and it looks really nice,” said Todd Wendle, reflecting the welcoming atmosphere the district works to create each year.
Tickets are just $6 per person, and the menu features pancakes, sausage, and eggs. Beyond the meal, attendees get a close-up look at fire equipment normally kept inside the station. Children walk away with plastic fire helmets, stickers, and the chance to explore the trucks — a highlight for young visitors and a hands-on way to connect kids with the people who serve their community.
Proceeds Go Directly to Firefighter Gear
Money raised at the breakfast goes toward purchasing gear for the district’s volunteer firefighters. The Sam Owen Fire District is made up primarily of part-time volunteers — community members who train and respond alongside their everyday lives and careers. Their equipment needs are real, and fundraisers like this one fill gaps that tight rural district budgets often cannot cover on their own.
Wendle summed up the district’s mission simply: “We really have one job, and that’s to help people.”
District Seeks Six New Volunteers
Beyond raising funds, the event serves as a recruiting opportunity. The Sam Owen Fire District is actively looking to bring on six additional volunteer firefighters. Those interested in joining can learn more at the breakfast, and training classes for new volunteers are scheduled to begin in September.
Volunteer fire departments are the backbone of rural fire protection across Bonner County and throughout North Idaho. Districts like Sam Owen depend entirely on neighbors willing to step up, train, and respond when emergencies strike. With six open spots and a September training cycle on the horizon, the breakfast offers a natural entry point for anyone considering service.
The Sam Owen Fire District’s fundraiser is one of several community events drawing residents together this summer across Bonner County. Sandpoint-area gatherings have ranged from garden tours to the return of Bonner County’s historic 1976 Bicentennial Quilt, reflecting the strong civic culture that defines life in the Idaho Panhandle.
What Comes Next
The pancake breakfast runs this Saturday at the Sam Owen Fire Station. Admission is $6 per person. Residents curious about volunteering with the district are encouraged to connect with district representatives at the event. New volunteer training is set to kick off in September, giving interested community members a clear path toward joining one of the region’s essential first-response teams.