Join us for a virtual Rotary Pancake DayBy Jessica Onsurez, President, Rotary Club of Carlsbad Working to keep the Carlsbad community safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic has meant local nonprofit organizations have made difficult decisions regarding some of our most treasured local events.The Rotary Club of Carlsbad is always proud to host the annual Rotary Pancake Day on Superbowl Saturday, an event which raises thousands of dollars via sponsorships and donations to fund scholarships to local students each year.TheRotary Pancake Day committee worked on a plan to keep up this great tradition, while also keeping our members and community safe amid this pandemic.So, I invite you to join us Feb. 6 for a virtual Rotary Pancake Day. Though we will miss seeing the smiling faces who come to eat up our made-on-the-spot pancakes, purchase raffle tickets and enjoy local entertainment, we know that it is vitally important to work within the guidelines of the New Mexico emergency public health orders.Rotary Pancake Day will be celebrated Feb. 1 through Feb. 8, with a series of online events including a pancake art contest and a pancake flipping contest. You can find the contest rules and submit your entries via our event page at https://fb.me/e/1yLKdq1S7.Check in daily for updated posts which will feature moments from pastRotary Pancake Daysand other fun, family-friendly items. If you’ve got a great pancake recipe, consider sharing it with us via the events page. And download and print the Rotary Pancake Day coloring page.I also ask that you consider donating to Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s scholarship efforts. A Rotary Pancake Day ticket in past years cost $5. I know times are tough, and thank you in advance for your support. You can donateto the Rotary Pancake Day at the offices of the Carlsbad Community Foundation, 114 South Canyon Street, or by mailing your donation to Carlsbad Rotary, PO Box Drawer R, Carlsbad, N.M. 88221.I thank you for your continued support of the Carlsbad Rotary Club and all other community organizations working to help improve and support Carlsbad and Eddy County.Rotarians are “People of Action.” I invite you to be one too. Start by learning more about how to become a member of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad. Email our Membership Chair Jill Barkley at rotary.carlsbad@gmail.comfor more information or a membership application.Email us also for details on how you can join our weekly virtual Club meeting held every Wednesday at noon.Get a glimpse of how the Rotary Club of Carlsbad is making a difference every day for our members, neighbors and youth in Carlsbad, and worldwide by following us on social media. Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/carlsbadrotary.club/, on Twitter at the handle @Carlsbad_Rotary and via Instgram at @CarlsbadNMRotary.And look for monthly updates in the Carlsbad Local on how the Rotary Club of Carlsbad is being of service.