View Finder: Family, Fun and Flapjacks

Call them gridiron griddles.

Several stacks of delicious pancakes were served up in Malverne and West Hempstead this past Super Bowl Sunday.

The West Hempstead Chapter of the Lions Club invited the community to join them for their annual breakfast in the cafeteria of . There, residents of all ages enjoyed the syrupy flapjacks and eggs whipped up by the volunteers from the organization, along with coffee and doughnuts. There were also several prize baskets up for grabs. Together they raised nearly $3,000, which will be used toward funding service projects and charities that the group supports.

Across town, the auditorium of in Malverne was packed with young families on Feb. 6. From the moment you stepped inside, you were hit with the overwhelming aroma of maple syrup and homemade griddles.

The volunteers kept the pancakes coming, along with sausages, bacon, bagels, fruit, juice and coffee. After their bellies were full, the kids gathered in the front of the room to watch a magic show, pet a white rabbit and collect "magic dollar bills." Then they eagerly waited, with fingers crossed and raffle tickets in hand, for the drawings to be held to find out if they would be going home with a Buzz Lightyear basket, an iPod, an American Girl Doll or one of the other great prizes on the table. 

There were also items for their parents up for grabs, including a 50-50 pot. The proceeds from the event will support the school.

PHOTOS: Hungry to see pictures from this year's pancake breakfasts? Take a look at the 50-plus photos from the events here. You can also upload your own photos from the breakfasts to share with your community.