‘I love lacrosse so much’: Ridgeview Lacrosse Club hosts pancake fundraiser to raise money for the season

(Update: Adding video, comments from coach, members)

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A lacrosse club in Redmond got some much needed funding Sunday by flipping flapjacks for their supporters.

"I've been involved with lacrosse for 20 plus years personally, and just being able to to get involved here locally has been such a nice addition to what I can do being part of in Central Oregon," Austin Ryan, Ridgeview boys lacrosse head coach, said Sunday.

It was the sixth annual Pancake Feed Fundraiser for the Ridgeview Lacrosse Club.

Redmond Proficiency Academy senior Preston Garibay said, "I love lacrosse so much, and it's a great opportunity to play. Tons of friends, close friends over on the team. I love to play. So just having the opportunity to play."

Ridgeview High School senior Bailee Hansen said, "I agree with Preston -- I really love this sport. So just find it any opportunity to be able to play, grow the sport."

The Redmond community came out ready to  scarf down all-you-can-eat pancakes, bacon and sausage. There was also Starbucks coffee on hand to wash it all down.

There's a total of 25 boys from different schools -- Ridgeview High School, Redmond High School and Redmond Proficiency Academy. And the Redmond High School girls lacrosse team is about 15 students. 

Ryan added, "Each individual school doesn't have enough players, so we're fortunate enough to be able to provide a place for those kids to play."

And this year, the club was able to take in the Sisters boys team, as well.

The club is entirely funded by player dues, which is $225 a player, and fundraising efforts to cover equipment and travel fees. Last year, the club raised about $3,500.

Garibay said," Every year, there's been more and people that show up and more people that learn about lacrosse and more people that sign up to play. So it's just awesome to see it growing around here"

Hansen said, "This is my first year coming to the field, but I think it's really great to see so many people from the community come in and just supporting our team as we're trying to grow it."

 The season starts on the 26th at Ridgeview High School, and the season will go until mid-May.