ON THE TOWN

Fun and generosity is on the menu at celebrity wait events

Hendel

Hendel

Fall was filled with celebrity wait events to support local charities. Community volunteers invite their own guests, encouraging generous tips for the causes.

Al Mundt, left, and his wife Adela, right, chat with University of Toledo basketball head coach Tod Kowalczyk at the ‘From the Heart’ celebrity wait night.

“From the Heart” celebrity waiter event to benefit the Mundt Cardiology Fund at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio, was at Loma Linda Restaurant, owned by Al and Adela Mundt. The annual event raised $30,000.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fall celebrity wait nights

Victory Center Medical Advisory Council's celebrity wait night event coordinator Michelle Keeling, left, poses with Girt the Giraffe and sports director for WTOL 11 News Dan Cummins.

The Victory Center’s Medical Advisory Council fifth annual celebrity wait night at the Toledo Zoo’s Nairobi Pavilion included professionals from ProMedica, UTMC, and Mercy. The safari-themed event raised more than $30,000. Seen were Dr. Larry Schmakel, Dr. Helen Mabry, Dr. James Fugazzi, Dr. Bradley Sachs, and Dr. Larry Hamme.

The Shuy family at ProMedica Toledo Children's Hospital wait night. From left, Vivian, Andy, Gabrielle, Keri, and Isabella.

Children reaped funds to benefit other kids at the fourth annual celebrity wait night for ProMedica Toledo Children’s Hospital. The chairman of the event that raised nearly $15,000 was Nicole Nungester. About 150 children waited tables, danced, sang, performed magic tricks, and sold items to earn tips.

Toledo Symphony League celebrity wait night waiters included Doug Neckers, Kathy Carroll, Symphony president, and Dick Anderson, board chairman.

The Toledo Symphony League celebrity wait night celebrating the orchestra’s 70th birthday was at Belmont Country Club. Waiters included board chairman Dick Anderson, Susan Conda, Lynda Gilbert, and Doug Neckers. Event chairmen were Liz Ference and Kim Kearns. League president Beth Bowman reported that $17,000 was raised.

Joe Nugent, sports anchor/reporter at WTVG-TV, Channel 13, standing, waits on Margarita Beale, seated at left, and her children Timothy, 14, and Caroline, 11, at the Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center's Celebrity Wait NIght.

The Family and Child Abuse Prevention Center celebrity wait night at Carranor Hunt and Polo Club raised more than $17,000, according to Barb Martin, event chairman. Waiters included Pat Bullard, Cassandra Durfey, Barbara Jordan, Ani Geha, Scott Hamner, Katherine Joslin, Jane Larsen, and Joe Nugent.

THe Little Sisters of the Poor fourth annual “Celebrity Chefs at the Pinnacle” raised more than $65,000 for the Sacred Heart Home for the Elderly in Oregon. Celebrity chefs were Diocese of Toledo priests.

Heart & Soul: Caring for our Community second annual celebrity wait night was at Zia’s. The event raised $7,200 for programs at Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital and the Thomas M. Wernert Center. Jill Draheim-Ducey won the cash raffle and donated the nearly $400 back to the organizations. Waiters included John Jennewine, Steve Reamey, Shelly McCoy-Grissom, and Candy Tavormina.

Central City Ministry of Toledo’s celebrity wait night, An Eat & Greet for Education at Real Seafood, raised over $30,000 for tuition assistance for students at the Queen of Apostles and Rosary Cathedral campuses. Waiters included Bill and Cathy Carroll, John Hayward, and Dr. Richard Paat.

Toledo Local Initiatives Support Corporation’s eighth annual celebrity wait night at the Toledo Club netted nearly $29,000. Honorees were Doni Miller and Joe Napoli. Waiters included Chris Kozak, Linnis Willis, and Reyes Reyes.

BIG Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio’s fourth celebrity wait night at Cousino’s Steakhouse netted $10,000. Waiters included Raymond Wood, Equilla Roach, and Pratik Shah.

Lourdes University’s celebrity wait night at Real Seafood raised more than $25,000 for student scholarships, reported event chairmen Sondra Gibbons, Ann Meier, and Cindy Taylor. Waiters included Daniel Briones, Robert Arthur, Ernest Enrique, and Dan Ibele.

Barbara Hendel is The Blade’s society editor. Contact her at: bhendel@theblade.com or 419-724-6124 .