Help The Children’s Hospital at Columbus Regional Health, Enjoy a Complimentary Short Stack of Pancakes Today

Staff Report From Columbus CEO

Tuesday, February 27th, 2018

IHOP Restaurants announced the date for its 13th annual IHOP National Pancake Day event, the centerpiece of the all-day breakfast leader’s 60 Days of Giving campaign. As the brand’s signature philanthropic event, IHOP National Pancake Day and all related activities directly benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities dedicated to finding cures and eradicating life-threatening diseases that affect children and families.

On Tuesday, February 27 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. guests can receive a free short stack of the brand’s Original buttermilk pancakes at IHOP Restaurants nationwide. In return, guests are asked to help make a difference by leaving a donation of any size on-check or in-restaurant with all funds collected in Columbus, Ga.; Phenix City, Al.; Auburn, Al. going to The Children’s Hospital at Columbus Regional Health, your local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. To mark its milestone 60th year in business, IHOP and its franchisees have set an ambitious goal of raising $5 million for children’s hospitals and medical research during the two-month campaign – plus serving a record-breaking 5 million pancakes in a single day. All the money raised during this year’s 60 Days of Giving campaign will stay local and benefit thousands of children’s hospitals across the country. For example, in 2017, The Children’s Hospital at Columbus Regional Health was able to fund Phase I of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit expansion and renovation - with money raised on IHOP National Pancake Day.

“For 60 years, IHOP and our franchisees have made it our mission to support the communities we serve. IHOP National Pancake Day is our declaration to pancake lovers everywhere that we are committed to giving back in meaningful ways,” said Darren Rebelez, President of IHOP. “At IHOP, we think doing good is delicious. Every stack of pancakes we serve on our signature day counts towards helping our charity partners improve the health and lives of millions of children and families across the country.”

Funds raised during the IHOP National Pancake Day campaign help kids like Stella Truitt. Born in March 2017 at only 25 weeks, Stella was given a 75 percent chance of survival and spent over 60 days in the
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Columbus Regional Health. Your support of The Children’s Hospital at Midtown Medical Center helps children like Stella.

Between now and March, guests have several ways to support The Children’s Hospital at Columbus Regional Health, including:

- Visiting any IHOP Restaurant on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 during event hours and donating to the featured charity after enjoying a free stack of IHOP’s world-famous Buttermilk Pancakes.

- Purchasing a wall icon in increments of $1, $5, $20 or $100 between January 31 and February 27, 2018 to show support. Guests who purchase a $5 wall icon will receive a $5 coupon good for a future purchase of $10 or more (valid at participating restaurants only).

- Enjoying a meal at any IHOP restaurant between January 31 and March 31, 2018 and making an in-restaurant cash contribution or on-check donation to the featured charity partner.

“For our 13th annual IHOP National Pancake Day, we’re honored to again partner with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, their local hospital affiliation and other charities focused on giving kids and families the life-saving care they need,” said Stephanie Peterson, Executive Director, Communications at IHOP. “This year will be our biggest fundraising campaign yet, stretching over two months and filled with fun announcements that really reflect the spirit of what this IHOP-created holiday is all about.”

To help bolster efforts, the brand has again teamed up with leading global service organization, Kiwanis International, who will serve as the official volunteer partner for IHOP National Pancake Day.

“We’re thrilled to have Kiwanis International, an exceptional service organization, back as our national volunteer partner and appreciate all that their Club Members do to support our charity partners and IHOP National Pancake Day,” continued Peterson.

As the most anticipated event of the year for pancake lovers since 2006, IHOP National Pancake Day has become a pop-culture phenomenon. With the help of millions of guests and communities, IHOP and its franchisees have raised close to $30 million to-date for youth health, wellness and educational organizations. For more information on IHOP National Pancake Day and the 60 Days of Giving campaign, including restaurant hours and charity support by restaurant, please visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.