COEUR d'ALENE - When Darlene Kacalek spied IHOP's National Pancake Day fundraiser on TV, she figured there were less delicious ways to ring in her daughter's 22nd birthday.

"I used to bring (my children) here a lot when they were kids," Kacalek said on Tuesday, seated across from her daughter, Julia Boord, at an IHOP booth. "I thought, 'This is the perfect place to take her out.'"

The mother and daughter, both leaning in with smiles over the table, ordered their usual favorites.

The aroma of strawberry and syrup wafted from Kacalek's plate as she dug her fork into golden-brown dough.

"It reminds me of my family going out together," the Post Falls woman said of why IHOP is their tradition. "After church, we would always go to IHOP on Sundays. It brings back good memories."

This was only part of their plans for the day. The pair would also go shopping, see a movie, visit grandma.

And, ideally, drive by Kootenai Medical Center, where Boord was born.

"Just mother-daughter time," said Boord, a North Idaho College student, about the whole day. "I'm thankful I have such an awesome family."

The last piece, driving past the hospital, was fitting for the pancake fundraiser they were attending.

IHOP locations nationwide were offering free pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., while taking donations for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Kootenai Health is a CMNH member.

"It feels like we're contributing to our community," Kacalek said as she took a bite. "This is where we live and part of our community lifestyle."

Asked how many were taking advantage of the delectable dogoodery, Cyndee Engelhardt said, "a lot."

Engelhardt was volunteering at the Coeur d'Alene IHOP on Tuesday on behalf of CMNH, a hospital network that treats millions of sick children every year.

"All the proceeds stay in the local area," Engelhardt said as she stood watch by the donations box. "Kootenai (Health) is a recipient."

CMNH contributions have helped provide Kootenai Health with state-of-the-art technology and services for sick children, the Kootenai Health website states.

About 75 percent of customers on Tuesday had been aware of the fundraiser, said fellow volunteer Michael Schock.

Most hadn't hesitated to drop some green into the donations box, he said.

"Especially those who come in with small children," Schock said. "I've seen small children put it in themselves."

Brittany Berg, 17, met her boyfriend, Dylan Morrison, after class at Coeur d'Alene High School to partake in some pancakes.

They intended to drop off a donation on their way out, Berg said.

"I always grew up with pancakes. It's nice when you can get free ones," Berg said, adding that she heard about the day from friends at school. "It's nice of them to offer it, and it's for a good cause."

Morrison, 20, still felt a loyalty to IHOP to order a non-pancake menu item, he added.

"I feel bad just coming here for free pancakes," Morrison said of the syrup-drizzled crepe in the middle of the table. "I feel like we have to get something else."

The three-tiered pancakes were a break from no-carb diets for Rathdrum couple Laura and Mark App.

After spooning samples of IHOP syrups, they were ready to drown the warm hotcakes in blueberry and maple waterfalls.

"When I think of pancakes, I think of a mess," Mark said with a grin.

"That you don't have to clean up," Laura added with a laugh.

The couple just came for a snack, they said. For Mark, the treat balanced out an X-ray he had to get in town.

For Laura, it was a throwback to years of picking huckleberries for homemade pancakes.

A fair exchange for the donations they slipped into the box.

"It's always nice to give back to the community," Laura said.