Firefighting not the only duty of Connoquenessing volunteers
Josiah McConnell flips pancakes during Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the fire station. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Annual breakfast a company-, community-wide event
CONNOQUENESSING — Along with the hundreds to thousands of hours volunteer firefighters spend in training and at emergency scenes are hundreds of hours making sure they can get to those trainings and scenes with the necessary gear.
The Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company is just one volunteer squad in Butler County with members that take on fundraising duties themselves. On Saturday, Oct. 4, many of its firefighters strapped on aprons instead of fireproof jackets to cook up a breakfast fundraiser.
Matt McConnell, company president and deputy chief, said the initiative is the result of people in the borough and Connoquenessing Township asking the department for an event like the breakfast. When members started doing the breakfasts two years ago, the people who had asked them didn’t just sit back and watch either.
“That’s my favorite part about this: People just come here to volunteer,” McConnell said.
By 8:30 a.m. Saturday, dozens already had been served a breakfast, mainly pancakes and sides of bacon, eggs, sausage and coffee.
Michelle Beck, a social member of the fire company who serves on its ways and means committee, emphasized that although people had to get to the fire station to prepare as early as 5 a.m., no one grumbled. She also said several organizations donated supplies for the breakfast and community groups helped throughout the day. The breakfast was scheduled to end at 1 p.m., but helpers would probably not clear the hall until at least 3 p.m., Beck said.
She added many non-members of the fire station got involved in this and previous pancake breakfasts because they recognize its importance.
“We help raise funds for everyday things,” Beck said. “It helps buy equipment. One year we used money on equipment for the junior firefighters. It helps pay the electric bill, the cable bill.”
Cole Anderson eats bacon on Saturday, Oct. 4, during Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
But there is more the fire company is fundraising for now than just everyday things. It is in the midst of building a new fire station on Route 68.
Plans for the building were on display at the breakfast and McConnell was on hand to explain the blueprints to anyone with questions.
“It will be crown a jewel of Connoquenessing,” McConnell said of the coming fire station.
Blake Spangler cooks bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at their fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rick Grecco, left, Jason Palmery and Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rick Grecco works the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Jason Palmery, left, and Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Josiah McConnell pours pancake batter during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Dawn Cox cracks several eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Josiah McConnell flips pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Josiah McConnell flips pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Fawn McCloskey, egg, and Jesse Threet, bacon, wave at oncoming cars during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
A group of boys play ball after eating during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Kevin Aaron puts canned topping on pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Easton Leonard pours syrup on his pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Easton Leonard eats pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Brenda McCue fixes plates of food during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Ryleigh Anderson eats pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Cole Anderson enjoys eating bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
Blake Spangler cooks bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at their fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Josiah McConnell, a lieutenant with the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, pours pancake mix onto a griddle on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the fire hall. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle
-
Blake Spangler cooks bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at their fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Rick Grecco, left, Jason Palmery and Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Rick Grecco works the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Jason Palmery, left, and Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Blake Spangler work the grills during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Josiah McConnell pours pancake batter during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Dawn Cox cracks several eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Josiah McConnell flips pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Josiah McConnell flips pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Easton Black digs into his eggs during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Fawn McCloskey, egg, and Jesse Threet, bacon, wave at oncoming cars during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
A group of boys play ball after eating during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Kevin Aaron puts canned topping on pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Easton Leonard pours syrup on his pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Easton Leonard eats pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Brenda McCue fixes plates of food during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Ryleigh Anderson eats pancakes during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Cole Anderson enjoys eating bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company’s annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at the fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4. (Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle)
-
Blake Spangler cooks bacon during the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company's annual fall pancake breakfast fundraiser at their fire station on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Josiah McConnell, a lieutenant with the Connoquenessing Volunteer Fire Company, pours pancake mix onto a griddle on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the fire hall. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle
View and purchase Eagle photos at photos.butlereagle.com
