Nearly 1,000 people braved the chilly air Saturday morning to support the Pella Fire Department during their third annual pancake breakfast. Pella Fire Chief Doug Van Gorkom says the morning of fun and fellowship brings many in the community together, and he’s thankful for the support they received again this year. Proceeds from the donations received and raffle tickets are all going to a new UTV for the Pella Rural Fire Department. Raffle winners will be notified by the Pella Fire Department directly if they won a prize. Additionally, this past week and on the morning of the breakfast, Van Gorkom says the department spent time with local children to discuss fire safety as part of fire prevention week. Second graders from Pella Christian Grade School spent their Monday morning touring both the Pella Fire and Pella Police Departments as part of an extension of social studies lessons in the classroom. Last week, first graders from Madison Elementary visited the fire station as well, and firefighters also made stops in classrooms throughout the Pella Community School District.