Merchant was the “Guest Chef” of the East Lansing Rotary Club’s annual Pancakes-in-the-Park fundraiser at Patriarche Park, 1100 Alton Road.

Merchant said her kids go to the school across the street from the park and that she brings her family there all the time.

Katie Donovan, secretary of the East Lansing Rotary Club, said the Pancakes-in-the-Park event has a personal connection for her.

Donovan said the club used to auction off her father’s pancakes because they were so good.

Last year, the fundraiser brought in about $12,000, and Donovan said all the money goes back to projects benefiting the area.

“It’s a great opportunity to give back to the community,” she said.

Donovan said there is something for every member of the club to do at the breakfast and members have to pre-sell tickets.

Dan and Maggie Shimkos came to the event after purchasing tickets from one of Dan’s co-workers.

“We want to pitch in and do something for the community,” he said

Tim McCaffrey, president of the East Lansing Rotary Club and director of East Lansing Parks, Recreation and Arts, said some funds from the event will go toward the Playground in the Park project.

In 2013, the playset at Patriarche Park hopefully will be replaced, and McCaffrey said the Rotary Club is footing most of the bill.

“The Rotary Club is spearheading funds for the playground,” he said.

Merchant is the honorary chair of the Playground in the Park project and thinks having a good park is vital to the development of children.

“The greatest thing (children are) missing is free play,” she said. “Kids use their imagination when they’re at a park.”

For Donovan, she still thinks of pancakes and the one goal she wants to accomplish.

“I want to be a pancake flipper.”