Filed under: BenefitsPro, Charity, Combs & Company, Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, Pancakes for Roger, Roger E Combs, Susan L Combs, University of Missouri | Tags: Charity, Combs & Company, Doing Good, Family, life, Mizzou Law Veterans Clinic, Pancakes for Roger, parenting, Susan L Combs, travel, Veterans, writing
The success of the Pancakes for Roger campaign isn’t measured in dollars raised or photos collected. It’s about the stories people share, the memories they honor, and the way this tradition continues to bring people together.
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By Susan L. Combs | March 21, 2025 at 02:40 PM
Every February, the world joins me in honoring my dad, Major General Roger E. Combs, by taking a moment to eat pancakes and take some pics. Simple, right? But Pancakes for Roger was never really about breakfast, and to be honest, it was never just about a man who broke my heart at the end of his life when he made a simple request for a favorite food. It was about what that request represented: gratitude, connection, and the small moments that make life meaningful.
Smashing records and setting the bar even higher
In 2025, we set out with ambitious goals: raise funds for the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic and gather 1,000 photos from around the world of people celebrating Pancakes for Roger month. Well, we didn’t just meet those goals—we smashed them.
- Thanks to our generous sponsors and corporate matching donors, we raised over $13,000 for the Veterans Clinic, ensuring that those who have served our country get the legal support they need.
- We collected pancake pictures from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., as well as 25 countries, and six continents.
- And that 1,000-photo goal? We hit 1,142 submissions!
Yes, we had people eating pancakes on the beaches of New Zealand, in the mountains of Switzerland, and at kitchen tables across the U.S. We had military veterans, families, business teams, and complete strangers all taking part in something bigger than breakfast. That’s the power of a shared tradition.
More than just a meal
The success of the Pancakes for Roger campaign isn’t measured in dollars raised or photos collected. It’s about the stories people share, the memories they honor, and the way this tradition continues to bring people together.
This year, I heard from an active-duty Airman who made pancakes with his kids for the first time since returning home from deployment. A group of law students at Mizzou sat together over breakfast, discussing how they hope to help veterans through their future work. A woman in Japan told me she made pancakes in honor of her grandfather, a fellow veteran, who had passed away years ago. These are the moments that make this campaign special.
Because at its core, Pancakes for Roger is about remembering the little things — the moments we too often take for granted. It’s about slowing down, pulling up a chair, and taking a moment to be grateful. My dad knew that. And whether he was piloting CH-46 helicopters or sitting in a courtroom, he never lost sight of what mattered most.
What’s next?
This campaign started as a personal way to honor my dad, but it has grown into something bigger than I could have ever imagined. And we’re not done yet.
As a full-fledged non-profit, we are partnering with other non-profits around the country to make the greatest impact on veterans’ needs as we grow our endowment fund. Our mission is clear:
Creating pathways to improve the lives of veterans and their communities.
With the continued support of this incredible community, we will create lasting change for those who have served.
Thank you!
To everyone who participated, donated, shared, and made Pancakes for Roger 2025 a success—thank you. You are part of something special. And I know my dad is looking down, smiling, probably wondering how the hell we got we got a mule and a pig to pose for pancake pics!
I would also be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge something else: Being a part of the insurance industry has afforded me the ability to launch this non-profit. The relationships I’ve built, the opportunities I’ve had, and the people who have stepped up to help have been instrumental in taking Pancakes for Roger to the next level.
A special thank you to some incredible individuals from our industry who have gone above and beyond this year through their efforts:
Eric Silverman, Angela Kidd, Antinea Martin, Allison De Paoli, Stephanie Berger, Jolene Bibian, Dr. Cristin Dickerson, Dawn McFarland, Taylor Miles, Jenny Weaver, Talia Hansen, Marie Goldbeck-Strunk, Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, Juli McNeely, Kyle Gorman, Ali Goodwin, Sara Walker Hite, Amanda Brewton, Colleen Blum, David Mordo, David Smith, Lisa Laliberte, Robin Tefft, and Julie Parks.
So, as we look ahead, let’s keep the momentum going, keep lifting up our Veterans, and most importantly — keep the syrup flowing.
Filed under: BenefitsPro, Branding You, Broker Innovation Lab, Charity, Combs & Company, Combs & Company Blog, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Health Insurance, Insurance Women, Marketing, Successful Women, Susan L Combs | Tags: Combs & Company, Dawn McFarland, Ellevate Foundation, Feature Friday, Innovative Broker Lab, Nancy Giacolone, Pancakes for Roger, Stephanie Berger, Susan L Combs
“Be teachable. You’re not always right.” – Anonymous This quote got me thinking about all the people I look up to, both inside and outside of our industry.
By Susan L Combs | June 10, 2024 at 08:13 AM
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If you roll in my circle, you know I’m a massive fan of pictorial quotes that catch my eye on social media. I actually have an album on my phone whereI save these nuggets of information for when I need an internal pep talk or see a friend struggling. I was taught by my late father that if you get a good piece of information, it’s your obligation to share it with someone. After all, if it helped you, it will probably help someone else.
So here is one I heard recently that I thought was such a good reminder:
“Be teachable. You’re not always right.” – Anonymous
Talk about taking a little wind out of your sails, huh? The quote got me thinking about all the people I look up to, both inside and outside of our industry. When I started thinking about what they have in common, I realized that they are always open to learning. Whether sharing an article they read, taking on a new designation, or just learning a new product or process, they are open to making themselves better and helping those around them.
I will tell you, starting a non-profit over the last year has definitely been a reminder of this simple phrase. Serving on non-profit boards, even in a national capacity, doesn’t come close to running one. I’m sure my good friend Stephanie Berger would echo this after launching her Ellevate Foundation in recent years. So many different rules and nuances make it as different from running a for-profit company as different as comparing bicycles to oranges.
What do you do?
I often hear my dad in my head when I screw something up: “Suz, this is a teachable moment.” As long as we find lessons along the way, it can soften the blow of feeling like a failure. But we must remain open. Every time I show someone how to do a task, I think it’s important to give them the freedom to shift the process so that it makes sense to them. I typically say something like, “We’ve got to get from A to B; I don’t care how you do it, just get to B.” Then I show them how I do it, and often they come up with a different way and get the same result. It’s important to check your ego at the door and let someone work in a capacity that makes sense to them.
I also think it’s important to surround yourself with people who give you the grace to learn, even when people see you as being at the top of your game. For example, I’m the last person you want handling your Medicare account, but I have friends like Dawn McFarland or Nancy Giacolone, who let me ask what I deem as “stupid questions” and don’t make me feel like an idiot when I do.
Embracing the mindset of being teachable is essential for personal and professional growth — and sometimes, for avoiding epic fails. Whether saving inspirational quotes, running an insurance brokerage consulting firm, or starting a non-profit, life constantly reinforces the value of remaining open to learning and adapting. It’s about recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and that’s perfectly OK.
My dad was great at reminding me of the teachable moments when I would make a mistake, which sounds a lot better than “You really effed that up!” – though I heard that too when I needed a reality check. Whether you learn by feather or by sword, it’s through these moments that we evolve. By surrounding ourselves with supportive people who encourage us to ask questions and explore new ideas, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute positively to those around us.
What’s something new you learned recently?
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Susan L Combs | Tags: Combs & Company, Girls Inc, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Susan L Combs
Combs & Company’s last charity shout out of the season for 2017 is for Girls Inc! The network of local Girls Inc. nonprofit organizations serves girls ages 6-18 at more than 1,400 sites in 400 cities across the United States and Canada. Their research-based programming is delivered by trained professionals who focus on the development of the whole girl, supporting, mentoring, and guiding girls in an affirming, pro-girl environment. There, girls learn to value their whole selves, discover and develop their inherent strengths, and receive the support they need to navigate the challenges they face.
Girls Inc. girls live healthy and active lifestyles and are less likely to engage in risky behavior; they are eager to learn, successful in school, and more likely to graduate from post-secondary education; and they display diligence, perseverance and resilience.
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Susan L Combs | Tags: Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, St. Jude, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Susan L Combs
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has always been very near and dear to my heart. In 1989, my brother, Matthew Combs, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN. Matt is the longest surviving male bone marrow transplant to have been performed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, dated June, 19th, 1991. He is now an oncology nurse giving back to critical care patients and paying forward his gift of life.
During this time of year my family is reminded of the true holiday spirit and what a blessing St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been to so many through the years.
Happy Holidays!
Susan
Filed under: BeadforLife, Charity, Combs & Company, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Happy Holidays | Tags: BeadforLife, Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Susan L Combs
Combs & Company has been a supporter of BeadforLife for the past 3 years and continues to be fascinated at all they do!
Check out an excerpt from their website as they tell their story best!
“Paper bead jewelry was only the beginning. We could have stayed the course, working with one group of women to create fair trade products that we could sell for them in the U.S. market – but we had bigger dreams. We created an entrepreneurial business training program, giving women living in poverty the skills and confidence they need to go out and create their own local businesses before they graduate. Salons, shoe stores, and produce stands are cropping up in Uganda and women are making money and living out their dreams. Not only do they have income, but now they have the confidence to be sustainable business women – meeting their own needs and creating a generation of confident and capable children.
But we haven’t stopped there. We’ve taken the best parts of that original business program and created The Street Business School. These savvy women don’t make products (for us), they make progress! They are women who have dreamed of running successful businesses, and that’s exactly what they do when they graduate, only six months later! See the impact.
Now we’re taking this proven poverty eradication program to the world! We will partner with organizations around the globe to share our program, so that we can ignite the lives of one million women!”
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Happy Holidays | Tags: Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, iMentor, Susan L Combs
Mentorship is very near and dear to our hearts at Combs & Company, that’s why we are supporting iMentor this holiday season. iMentor builds mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions.
Looking to give some love? There’s a lot to love with iMentor!
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Susan L Combs | Tags: Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Operation Homefront, Susan L Combs
As mentioned earlier this week, Combs & Company is sharing the love with multiple charities this holiday season! Next up is Operation Homefront! Operation Homefront’s mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive — not simply struggle to get by — in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. For over fifteen years, the have provided programs that offer: RELIEF (through Critical Financial Assistance and transitional housing programs), RESILIENCY (through permanent housing and caregiver support services) and RECURRING FAMILY SUPPORT programs and services throughout the year that help military families overcome the short-term bumps in the road so they don’t become long-term chronic problems.
Looking to spread some holiday cheer? Consider Operation Homefront!
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays | Tags: Charity Profile, Combs & Company, Giving Back, Happy Holidays, Puppies Behind Bars, Susan L Combs
This December, Combs & Company, LLC decided to show some love to different charities that are making a different in our community and in the world. Our first feature is Puppies Behind Bars. Founded in 1997, Puppies Behind Bars (PBB) trains prison inmates to raise service dogs for wounded war veterans and explosive detection canines for law enforcement. Puppies enter prison at the age of eight weeks and live with their inmate puppy-raisers for approximately 24 months. As the puppies mature into well-loved, well-behaved dogs, their raisers learn what it means to contribute to society rather than take from it. PBB programs bring the love and healing of dogs to hundreds of individuals every year. The dogs bring hope and pride to their raisers, and independence and security to those they serve.
Looking to give some support this holiday season? Check them out!
Filed under: Bideawee, Charity, Combs & Company, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Happy Holidays | Tags: Bideawee, Combs & Company, FeatureFriday
In lieu of holiday gifts and cards to our clients and colleagues we choose to support charities that have touched one of our Crew Member’s hearts. Please read about our second Holiday Feature Friday where we honor Bideawee!
Filed under: Charity, Combs & Company Blog, Feature Friday, Giving Back, Hearts of Gold | Tags: Combs & Company, FeatureFriday, Hearts of Gold
In lieu of holiday gifts and cards to our clients and colleagues we choose to support charities that have touched one of our Crew Member’s hearts. Please read about our second Holiday Feature Friday where we honor Hearts of Gold!
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