The Bonney Lake Police Department is hosting a flapjack fundraiser this Saturday with proceeds to benefit William Knight, III, and the Chief for a Day program.

This weekend’s event is scheduled for 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Bonney Lake Applebee’s, 9430 192nd Ave. E.

Breakfast includes pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Bonney Lake Police Department.

This is the first year Bonney Lake has participated in the program, which sponsored by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, celebrates the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening conditions. Bonney Lake is one of 27 police agencies around the state participating this year.

Knight, who will being the third grade this fall at Emerald Hills Elementary, was born several months premature and was diagnosed with missing one of the four valves in the heart that helps control blood flow.

As a baby, Knight had surgery to install a replacement valve, which needs to be replaced as he grows. His second and most recent surgery was in October.

Knight spent a day with the department in April where he was given a tour of the offices and met many of his new officers, as well as being introduced to this year’s Citizens Academy class.

Knight will also be the grand marshal at this year’s Bonney Lake Days parade and introduce one of the city’s movies at the park this summer. The city is working on additional plans to keep Knight involved and are also organizing a fund drive to help pay for his treatment and to help the family buy items from their wish list – provided to the police department, though the modest family said they felt odd about it – while they pay for his ongoing treatments and doctor visits.

The department has set up an account at Key Bank and has a collection can located at the Public Safety Building for citizens who want to help out. Additional events are also in the works.

As part of being chief for a day, Knight will also be treated to a day-long celebration with the other chiefs on Aug. 16. He will get a tailored uniform and badge and be transported in a police car as part of a motorcade to CenturyLink Field, where there will be presentations and demonstrations on everything from K-9 units, mounted patrols, SWAT teams and a military helicopter.