UNION SPRINGS - Sharing a delicious and hearty breakfast with friends and neighbors seems like a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

Yet, the morning can become even more meaningful when the purchase of that breakfast can help a student to realize their dream of attending college.

Each year, the Union Springs Lions Club sponsors an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast in which all proceeds are donated to a local charity.

This year, the club has opted to donate all proceeds from the breakfast to the John Howland Memorial Scholarship fund.

“It really is a nice way to help a cause,” said Lawrence Hopkins, during the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast held at the Union Springs High School cafeteria Sunday morning. “I like to eat breakfast and I like to help when I can. In this way I am doing both.”

Howland, a 2004 graduate of Union Springs High School, lost his nine-month battle with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma in January 2007.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma is a rare form of cancer that centers in the nasal cavity.

Since then his good friend, and former classmate, Jason Hoskins has set up a memorial scholarship in Howland's name.

Recipients of the annual scholarship must be involved in a varsity sport, and demonstrate Howland's kind and easygoing personality. The selected recipient must also have plans to attend college.

The breakfast, which included pancakes, French toast, eggs, and sausage,�was delicious and well worth the trip to the high school, gushed Hopkins wife, Kelly Hopkins.

According to a website created in Howland's memory, the cancer had already spread before doctors were able to detect it.

“We did not know the Howland family,” Hopkins said. “We actually heard about the breakfast and wanted to do what we could to help. It is a very sad and touching story.”

Hopkins said that she couldn't believe how wonderful the turnout at the breakfast was.

“You can just feel the love and caring natures of the community right here,” she said.