'Celebrity waiter' luncheon benefits Relay For Life

Celebrity waiters Wilbert "Willie" Nelson and Thomas Smith stay busy serving guests at Tuesday's Relay For Life Luncheon, which nearly 300 people attended. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Order this photo]

Nearly 300 people attended the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon Tuesday at the Blue Ribbon Circle to benefit Relay For Life of Bedford County.

This was the first event of its kind in many years, said organizer Judi Burton.

"We threw this together in a very short amount of time," said Burton, who said she was thrilled with the high turnout. "The people are loving it."

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Several of Shelbyville's own celebrities put on aprons, and were at the mercy of their patrons throughout the luncheon.

The event is an unique midday fundraiser with costumes, entertainment, exciting table themes and the opportunity to bid on all table centerpieces in a live auction during lunch. Anything a guest requests from utensils to napkins can be obtained for a nominal fee.

Guests could also request that their waiters sing, dance or otherwise perform for additional tips, said event co-chair Ronnie Wells.

Celebrity waiters were Tommy Anderton, Andy Bobo, Sheila Bobo, Sheriff Randall Boyce, Ron Bell, Dan Buckner, Ben Brantley, Scott Cocanougher, City Manager Ed Craig, Teresa Crosslin, Johnny Donegan, Ron DeWitt, Gary Hale, Joe Hunt, Coach Rick Insell, Scott Johnson, Pat Marsh, Wilbert Nelson, Laura Parham, County Mayor Eugene Ray, Sheila Roarke, Geneva Smith, Ray Smith, Whit Turnbow and Tiffany Woosley.

Burton assisted John Thomas Taylor in master of ceremonies duties, while Jimmy Simmons served as the auctioneer for the centerpiece items on the tables.

Angie's Catering prepared lunch, which included lasagna, chicken tetrazzini, caesar salad and dessert.

Ticket sales, tips and auction proceeds Tuesday were added to the $85,000 raised by Relay For Life of Bedford County so far this year, which aids in the ACS's mission to support cancer patients, research and education programs.

With the help of the luncheon, the local Relay For Life committee is hoping to reach their goal of $100,000 by the end of August. The total comes from direct proceeds from the Relay For Life walk, held in June; from monies raised by the participating teams of that event; and from other fundraisers, such as Hee Haw & Howdy, which brought in about $13,000; the Bob Parks Realty golf tournament, which raised about $2,500; and the Celebrity Waiter Luncheon.

Next year's event is already scheduled for March 10, 2010. Next year's relay will be held June 4 at the Celebration Grounds.

For more information about Relay For Life, go to www.relayforlife.org/bedfordtn or call (800) 227-2345.