It's National Pancake Day!

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It's National Pancake Day and the annual celebration sponsored by IHOP is underway here in Baltimore.

Ron Matz reports it's all about making pancakes personal and helping others.

The kitchen is busy at the Dundalk IHOP. It's National Pancake Day and free pancakes bring in hundreds of customers---and money for charity.

"They come in, they have a free short stack of pancakes. They don't have to donate, but we would love a donation for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It helps so many people, it really does," said Lola Phillips, Dundalk IHOP. "It makes me feel good. The very first day we started it, instantly people would make a donation. I read the messages. It makes some people cry. It's hard but it's good."

Heather Cornwell is here with her family enjoying the pancakes and making a donation.

"It's almost like a responsibility. People in the community should be able to give back and help, especially for this cause," Cornwell said.

That cause brought Josephine Jones to the IHOP, too.

"I'm donating because I know it's for a good cause and that's important to contribute to good causes nowadays," Jones said.

The Dundalk IHOP's goal is just over $5,000.

"Dundalk is huge with contributions. I don't know about the other areas but we've raised millions and millions through IHOP over the years. It's wonderful; we're open from 7 til 7 so come in and eat," Phillips said.

This is IHOP's 11th annual National Pancake Day. In 10 years, the event has raised over $20 million for local charities. It continues til 7 p.m.