University College freshman Josh King pours syrup on his free pancakes at IHOP Tuesday afternoon. Donations to the IHOP event went towards Children's Hospital Foundation. Ashlan Barta/The Daily

IHOP saw no shortage of OU students at its free pancake day Tuesday, but the purpose behind the special day was about more than just pancakes.

The annual free pancake day is an effort to support the Children’s Miracle Network, and IHOP asked customers to consider donating to support local children’s hospitals through the Miracle Network or other local charities, according to IHOP’s Web site. IHOP gave each customer one free short stack of pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at stores across the country.

Bailey Robinson, Miss OU and public relations sophomore, sat next to the Children’s Miracle Network donation box asking for donations Tuesday evening.

“I’m so excited that [donating] is such a big deal here in Norman,” Robinson said. “So many people are willing to give to Children’s Miracle Network because it’s one of those things that once you are involved with it, the children steal your heart, you’ll always want to be involved with it for the rest of your life.”

Mallory Dodson, advertising sophomore, donated to Children’s Miracle Network while at IHOP Tuesday.

“Who wouldn’t want free pancakes?” Dodson asked. “It is free food and good food for a great cause. I did not know about the charity being a part of Free Pancake Day until I was done eating, but I decided to donate. The service was really great too. My waitress was nice and our food was delivered zippy quick.”

University College freshman Autumn Whisenhun and elementary education sophomore Priscilla Barnes ate the free pancakes and said they were surprised at how good they were, because they thought the pancakes would be cold. They also said they were surprised there was not much of a wait to get a table.

Children’s Miracle Network is a nonprofit organization raising funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals, according to the organization’s Web site. Children’s Miracle Network funds medical care, education and research that improves and saves the lives of 17 million children each year. Children of any age and background can receive treatment for any disease or injury. Children’s Miracle Network has raised more than $3.4 billion to date, most of which was donated as $1 or $2 at a time.

National Pancake Day started in 2006, according to the site. IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million since 2006, and raised $1.3 million alone last year. Usually the event happens on Fat Tuesday but this year they are extending the money-raising window by a week to maximize donations.