News > Events > Celebrity Serve

Celebrity Serve

It is a fundraising event where local celebrities volunteer their time to act as wait-staff to approximately one hundred fifty invited guests. It incorporates a brief awareness component and a live tipping auction.
It is a fitting reminder of our calling to provide for those in crisis. Unique to Richmond, it offers guests a chance to interact with local celebrities, enjoy a chef-prepared dinner and spend the evening in a laughter-filled environment all in the spirit of supporting a great cause.

02/15/2011 02/16/2010 02/17/2009 02/18/2008 02/20/2007

Celebrity Serve 2011

02/15/2011

Story

Celebrities often are accustomed to great attentiveness, unmatched service and the particular care a person in that position receives. However, those who may not be as familiar with that lifestyle, CARITAS’ annual Celebrity Serve event provided a chance to experience just that. Local celebrities, for the eighth year, took the time to use their notoriety to care for and serve others, all to raise money for CARITAS.

Merrymaking was the pronouncement of the evening as CARITAS celebrated a rewarding eighth year of exceptional food, spirited conversation and lively auction bidding on Tuesday, February 15th at Siné Irish Pub and Restaurant. The 140 invited guests were greeted then seated at tables finely adorned with glistening candles, a spring flower array; signed artwork by Judy Newcomb and a thank you chocolate heart at each place setting.

The evening opened with a VIP reception and Celebrity greetings for Champion Sponsors-Richmond Refrigeration Services, Inc. and VHDA; Partner Sponsors-Dominion and Patient First Corporation; Friend Sponsor-Owens & Minor.

Fifteen special Celebrity Servers jumped right in with their time and talent to make the evening a remarkable success. The First Lady of Virginia, Mrs. Maureen McDonnell stopped by to help serve and displayed acute bartending and waitress skills. Even Nutzy got into the action by donning an apron to compliment the red cape.

Live auction items included lovely framed paintings/prints created by Judy Newcomb, our featured artist, ceremonial pitch and season baseball tickets offered by Todd Parnell, COO of the Richmond Flying Squirrels; 8 baseball tickets contributed by Nutzy, the Flying Squirrels' Mascot, 2 Ukrops chocolate log cakes delivered by Rob Ukrop; a Beijo Gold Handbag, all this mingled with dozens of picture requests with Caitlin Uze-Miss Virginia 2010; fire special packages with local Fire Chiefs-Robert Creecy-City of Richmond, Edward Senter-Chesterfield County, Edwin Smith-Henrico County; requested songs from Susan Greenbaum; Trivial Pursuit with Juan Conde; magic surprises by Jonathan Austin; media personality Adam Stubbs demonstrating his skill as an auctioneer and dancing by Chris Hilbert, all skillfully directed by Steve Cummings, our outstanding Master of Ceremonies.

The wonderful dinner menu featured Tomato Bisque with a Parmesan Cheese Crouton, Caesar Salad topped with shaved Asiago Cheese and housemade croutons, Herb buttered Chicken Kiev, sides of Roasted Red Skin Mashed Potatoes; Green Beans Almondine and finished off with the ever popular Chocolate Bread Pudding Sundae with Vanilla Ice Cream.

We cannot begin to say thank you enough for the extraordinary generosity of the Champion, Partner and Friend Sponsors; the graciousness of Siné Irish Pub and Restaurant; the always fantastic volunteer Celebrity Servers; kindness of invited guests; incredible in-kind donations of time and resources from Steve Cummings; Judy Newcomb; Tom Layman,Graphics; FloraCulture; James River Press and the CARITAS Special Events Committee for making this 8th year a stand out.

We wish to extend our gratitude, deepest appreciation and heart-felt thanks to the following to whom we owe so much: Bob McNulty, General Manager of Siné, the Siné staff who are extraordinary and outdid themselves once again with their exceptional service, Chef Patty, Sous Chefs and crew for a wonderfully inspired menu and again to the amazing Celebrity Servers. Thank you all once more for helping to raise nearly $33,000 to further our mission!!