It's Free Pancakes Day!

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- If you like pancakes, this just might be your favorite day of the year: it's IHOP's National Pancake Day!

Ron Matz reports it's all designed to raise money for a good cause.

It's a flapjack frenzy at the IHOP in Dundalk. The place is packed for National Pancake Day. You get a free short stack and donate what you want to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

"We're celebrating National Pancake Day for the Children's Miracle Network, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Come down and get three free pancakes with everybody else and donate if you can," said Lola Phillips.

It marks a decade of giving from the breakfast chain. What began in 2006 has raised $16 million nationwide.

"So we came here today to celebrate this day with IHOP and praying for all of the people who have cancer and all the people who have already passed. We're all praying they're with the Lord," said Father Tom Morris, Sacred Heart of Mary Church. "I was here for the free pancakes but best of all to be with my friends."

They'll give away thousands of pancakes here and at IHOPs across the country, hoping to raise $3.5 million.

"We try to do this every year. We come out and donate and of course you get free pancakes," said Nick Alexiou. "It's actually a great idea. It gets packed in here; it helps out and it's a good cause."

Customers were here when the door opened at 7 a.m. They were ready to eat and to give.

"I don't know about other communities but Dundalk is very giving. They are generous in here; it's wonderful," Phillips said.

National Pancake Day continues until 10 p.m.