Celebrity Waiter is ‘biggest’ ever

Organizers of the annual Celebrity Waiter have one goal each year, continue to grow the event that serves a major fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club.
That mission continues to be accomplished.
“This one was the biggest yet,” Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana COO Brian Ford said of Wednesday night’s event. “I know we say that every year, but it’s the truth.”
While numbers have not been finalized, Ford said the event is expected to net more than $80,000.
The event took place Wednesday evening at the V.N. Hall in Abbeville. This marks the second straight year Celebrity Waiter has called the V.N. Hall home. The facility’s size plays an important factor in the event’s growth.
“It’s a big venue to allow us to accommodate a lot of people,” Ford said.
Most importantly, what the event benefits certainly helps in drawing a big crowd. Celebrity Waiter helps bring in a large portion of the $175,000 annual operating budget for the Boys & Girls Club Rodney Unit in Abbeville.
“I think everyone understands the importance of investing in our youth,” said Ford, who served as the director at the Rodney Unit for nearly 10 years. “It’s an easy cause to get behind.”
Vermilion Parish Sheriff Mike Couvillon and his office have been heavily involved with Celebrity
Waiter for many years. The Boys & Girls Club recognized Couvillon Wednesday, presenting him with The Heart Award.
“The Sheriff understands the importance of investing in youth,” Ford said. “We want to thank him for that investment in the community.”
As for the Celebrity Waiters, many from Vermilion Parish and beyond served with a smile.
“We want to thank all the people who helped out,” Ford said. “The Abbeville Kiwanis Club sent a lot of people. Member of the Kaplan High Key Club and softball team were there. We had a lot of athletes from (the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). We also had some of the Saintsations (New Orleans Saints cheerleaders).
“We also want to thank Jaryd Lane for providing the entertainment again this year.”
Along with the food and music, attendees bid on items during live and silent auctions.
“That’s where the difference was this year,” Ford said. “We had a nice increase in the auction this year.”
Nearly 40 items went up for bids. Items that drew in the most included a carved wooden duck donated by former Judge Derwood Conque and a fish fry for 50 people.
“The duck went for $7,000!,” Ford exclaimed. “The fish fry went for $5,500.
“The auction items will end up being almost half of what we bring in.”