COURTESY OF UNION PRESBYTERIAN Visitors at last year’s breakfast gather to celebrate the Fourth of July. Union Presbyterian Church has hosted an annual Independence Day event for 35 years.

For 35 years, Los Altos Union Presbyterian Church, 858 University Ave., has scheduled a pancake breakfast July 4 - this year is no exception.

With patriotic music in the background, church members will serve pancakes, sausages, orange juice, fresh fruit and coffee from 8-11 a.m. in the church’s fellowship hall.

At its inception in 1971, the gathering was held outside at the barbecue pit on the church grounds.

Organizers recall how the pancakes were cooked on griddles over charcoal, a real challenge for the cooks.

Over the years, the breakfast has evolved into an all-church event. They welcome the community, neighbors and friends to join them.

Each year free-will donations are accepted to support a mission or outreach project. This year, proceeds will go to Help One Child, a group dedicated to helping foster children and their families in our community, and to Green Pastures, a residential facility in Mountain View that cares for handicapped children.

For more information, call the church office at 948-4361.

LOS ALTOS LUTHERAN: Los Altos Lutheran Church, 460 South El Monte Ave., will celebrate the Fourth of July at 11 a.m., featuring a presentation by 4- to 8-year-olds playing the chimes in their first public appearance.

For more information, call 948-3012.