Celebrity Waiter Dinner Raises Awareness, Money for Child Care of Southwest Florida

Oct. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- October 11, 2011

CONTACT:   
Linda McNabb, Development Director   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC
Child Care of Southwest Florida      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media
(239) 425-1017         (239) 277-5255
lindam@ccswfl.org         sbennett@susanbennett.biz



CELEBRITY WAITER DINNER RAISES
AWARENESS, MONEY FOR
CHILD CARE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA

FORT MYERS, FLA., October 11, 2011 – Politicians, business leaders and community leaders donned their aprons and performed for tips at the Third Annual Stars for Kids Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Auction Saturday, October 8, raising more than $40,000 for Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.
Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah earned the coveted 2011 “Most Appreciated Celebrity Waiter Award” by earning the most tips at his table.  Sponsors were CRS Technology Consultants, Internet Services Group, and Lutgert Insurance.
Local celebrities displayed their talents by becoming singing waiters or performing other feats, such as fortune telling (Stephanie Davis); go-go dancing (Lisa Cronin); and accordion playing (Ray Judah).  The Blues Brothers made an appearance as did the Coneheads and the Church Lady of Saturday Night Live fame, all courtesy of Fort Myers Rotarians Bob Beville, Steve Bowen, Don Molloy and Bob Sheehan.
NBC-2 Anchor Kellie Burns and Auctioneer Scott Robertson (who also is vice-chairman of the charity’s board of directors) shared duties as master and mistress of ceremonies.
“People came tonight ready to have fun and help us with our mission of helping children.  Our celebrity waiters did an extraordinary job and those who attended said they had so much fun they can’t wait to do it again next year,” said Beth Lobdell, executive director of Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc.  “Most importantly, we raised some money to help children from low-income families obtain needed child care so their parent can work.”
Other celebrity waiters included Lucy Costa of Promotional Incentives (St. Pauli Girl); Cynthia Duff Detrick of Copy Lady (Cleopatra); Greg Frith of Fireservice Disaster Kleenup (Captain America); John Mann of IBS Consulting Group; Jim Mitchell of Fifth Third Bank (Policeman); David Plazas of The News-Press (Mr. Spock); Tammy Provence of Good2Go Healthy Takeout; and Andrew Seymour of Miracle Baseball.
The evening also included both silent and live auction items, as well as toys and games on every table to keep guests entertained.  
Funds raised during the evening will be used to support the mission of Child Care of Southwest Florida and to provide scholarships for low-income children to receive child care in the six centers operated by the agency.  
Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc. is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing high quality child care services throughout Southwest Florida.  The agency
provides child care for children from infancy through age 8 at its six child care centers in Lee and Hendry counties.  In addition, it offers training for early childhood professionals, and administers the federal food program for eligible centers and family child care homes throughout Southwest Florida.  The agency must rely on generous donations and volunteer efforts from members of the community, corporations and foundations to build and maintain programs that make a difference to low-income children.  Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc., is a United Way agency.
For more information about Child Care of Southwest Florida, Inc., or to volunteer for next year’s event, please call Development Director Linda McNabb at 425-1017 or visit www.ccswfl.org.
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