IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day, "You can come back as many times as you want"

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Walking into the IHOP off Fond Du Lac Avenue you'll likely see James Payne greeting guests.

Not only is Payne an IHOP General Manager, he's a member of the U.S. Airforce, and most importantly to him a father.

"Honestly, before I came through the door I kissed my daughter this morning," said Payne.

Payne kept plenty busy at work, as Tuesday marks IHOP's National Pancake Day.

Guests can come in and get a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes with a donation to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

"You can come back as many times as you want as long as you make a donation," said Payne.

This is especially meaningful to Payne as he has spent many days and nights at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin after his four-year-old daughter, Harmonee, was diagnosed with sickle-cell anemia.

"I know some of the doctors at Children's Hospital and I know how much they care and I know that if they just had that little extra money just to dig a little bit further maybe they can actually find some cures for some of these diseases," said Payne.

Droves of people showed up to enjoy the pancakes...

"Very good. I cleaned my plate, very fluffy," said IHOP customer Artasia Fletcher as she enjoyed her pancakes.

And help the cause...

"I'm excited that there is a lot of people here that are supporting Children's. Go people," exclaimed IHOP customer Santosha Landon.

Whether it's $1 or $50 that people are donating every penny makes a dramatic difference as 100% of the proceeds are donated to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

IHop's across the country are hoping to raise $3.5 million over the day-long event, bringing its total donations to $20 million over the last 10 years.

For more information on IHOP's National Pancake Day CLICK HERE.