"Putting on the Ritz"
Friday, April 21, 2006 at the Grand River Inn

Celebrity Waiter's Dinner Garners Big Tps for Y-PALS
By CATHERINE STORTZ RIPLEY, C-T News Editor, Monday, April 24, 2006

CAPTION: The Butcher (also known as Kara Rounkles) tends to her table during the YMCA's annual Celebrity Waiter's Dinner Friday night at Grand River Inn. She shared waitressing duties at her table with the Baker (a.k.a. Francine Davenport) and the Candlestick Maker (a.k.a. Molly Marshall). Their table brought in the most tips for the evening's benefit which, in all, netted about $7,500 for the YMCA's youth mentoring program, Y-PALS.

C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley

The red carpet was rolled out for a star-studded evening with appearances by the Blues Brothers, Sonny and Cher, the Flying Nuns and many more familiar faces during YMCA's Celebrity Waiters Dinner held Friday at Grand River Inn. The dinner is held annually and is the fund-raiser which generates the money necessary to keep the YMCA's youth mentoring program, Y-PALS, operating. The Y-PALS program - Young People Actively Learning Success - provides children in need with an adult role model and regularly scheduled activities so that these children, through one-on-one interaction with the adult volunteer, will receive guidance, a wider variety of appropriate life experiences, and opportunities for friendship and companionship.

Although the final tally has yet to be computed, it looks as though the dinner event cleared $7,500, according to Dave Rogers, executive director for the Grand River Area Family YMCA. “This money will go a long way to helping the kids and their mentors over the next year,” he said.

There were 120 dinner guests Friday night filling 15 tables, not counting the waiters and YMCA staff. In addition to the work of the celebrity waiters - who, altogether, generated $2,007 in tips, money was raised through silent and live auctions. The auctions brought in $3,361. Nearly $1,000 was provided in cash donations and $3,250 in ticket sales. Subtracting the actual cost of the evening, Rogers anticipated that the evening netted $7,500, which is about what was anticipated.

All in good fun and for a good cause, the celebrity waiters offered their guests various dinner amenities such as a chair, silverware, and food - each for a price. And, when the waiters weren't busy powdering a bald head or giving a guest a backrub they were offering goodies for their guests to purchase. For example, the Flying Nuns offered diners Lifesavers for $1. The celebrity waiters really shining bright working for their tips were the Butcher, the Baker and Candlestick Maker (also known as Kara Rounkles, Francine Davenport and Molly Marshall), who brought in the most money; followed closely by the Flying Nuns (a.k.a. Pam Jarding, Garni Churan, Amy Supple and Martha Greer).

The celebrity waiter's dinner is an annual event which raises most of the money needed to operate the Y-PALS program. “Every dollar you contribute tonight will be a beautiful experience for these children,” said Chuck Haney, who moderated the evening.

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