February, 25 2005 - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Serves Up Celebrity Waiters in Suits
What: 10th Annual Celebrity Waiters in Suits
Where: SunBurst Resort & Spa
When: February 25, 2005
Time: 6 pm
Ticket Prices: $200
Beneficiary: The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Host(s): Todd Stottlemyre
Honoree(s): Ericka Rinne
EMCEE: Thom Brennaman & Mark Hoffman
Presenting Sponsor(s): Celebrity Casino Reception sponsored by Anheuser Busch
Gala Chairperson(s): Beth Cochran, Erica Stottlemyre
Committee Members: Lisa Owens, Gillian Arnwine, Andrea Carrier, Tina Majerle, Mark Hoffman, Paul Hospenthal, Nate Nathan, Mikey Thalblum, Phyllis Tragethon,
Staff: Kim Phillips, Director of Special Events; Cristi Wiechert, Special Events Coordinator
Entertainment: D.J.: Todd Bristol, Interactive Entertainment
Of note: Silent Auction, Cocktail Reception and Casino Entertainment
Auctioneer: Gary Cruz, KPHO TV 5
Gala Production: Swank Audio Visual & John Houck
Attendance: 350
Attire: Casino casual
Special Thanks: Andrea & Mark Carrier, Barelski, Doyle & Matmati Families, ABC Casino, Casino2Go, Capitol Litho Printing, Chris & Beth Cochran, Encore Entertainment, Flora Springs Winery, Gary Cruz, Gillian Arnwine, John Houck, Mark Hoffman, Nick Savocchia, Oakley Sports Wear, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Phyllis Tragethon, Red Mountain Framing, Russell & Lisa Owens, Southwest Airlines, Special Events Table Linens, SunBurst Resort & Spa Staff, Swank Audio Visual, The Flower Studio, Thom Brennaman, Todd & Erica Stottlemyre, Tortuga Promotions, W. Scott Mitchell Photography
Donors: Anheuser-Busch/Budweiser (Celebrity Casino Reception Sponsor); Auction Event Solutions (Automated Auction Services); Earnhardt Auto Centers (Guest Photos Sponsor); Flora Springs Winery (Specialty wine bottles); Hellwig Studios/Karen Hellwig (Graphic designer for ALL print materials); Louisville Slugger (Mini bats); Major League Baseball (various team baseball caps); MetLife (printing sponsor); Mirabel Club (waiters' & volunteers' shirts); Bellagio, Palms, Sahara and MGM Grand Resorts (decks of cards and dice); Paul & Kelly Fleming (transportation for special guest); Paradise Bakery (cookie cards); P.F. Chang's China Bistro (appetizer cards); Southern Wine & Spirits of Arizona & United Beverage (event wine); Stottlemyre Group, Merrill Lynch (Shop Around sponsor); Tina Majerle (disposable cameras & casino entertainment); Lancome (cosmetics); Nordstrom (chocolate truffles); U-Haul - Cargo Van (to transport supplies)
Event Coordinator: Cristi Wiechert
Blacktie Photos by: Staff/Belcastro
Three Valley personalities Tara Hitchcock, Channel 3, Maureen Barkley and Karie Dozer, KTAR radio ready for an evening of fun
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Myra Richman From the minute they entered the area, there was action and a feeling of warmth and friendliness. Waiters in Suits was truly an evening of excitement and fun, from silent auction to cocktails to gambling to elegant dining to laughter with Valley corporate executives, community leaders, sports figures and TV personalities. Many entertained the guests with humor while serving them dinner. Seen in the crowd were the Stottlemyres (Todd was hosting and Erica was the co-chair), Channel 3 morning show host Tara Hitchcock, Maureen Barkley, Karie Dozer of KTAR, real estate guru Nate Nathan, Tina Majerle, Lisa Owens and Executive Director of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Jan Lee Sproat and husband Ric. Meeting special guest, the beautiful Ericka Rinne, was a treat for everyone. The lovely 17-year-old was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was 14 months old. She tells of her struggles and amount of medicine she needs each day, yet feels lucky to have been on the Track Team, Cheerleading Squad and Lacrosse Team at her school and attends this event from another city in order to say "Thank You," for all the other kids. Her aunt, Beth Cochran, has been the event chair of Celebrity Waiters in Suits since its inception in 1995. Event host Todd Stottlemyre is grateful for everyones help and dedication and hopes that some day CF will stand for Cure Found. For every raffle ticket that was purchased for $25, guests received one casino chip. Those who spent $100 had another chip thrown in for good luck. Raffle tickets were able to be placed in individual bins to increase their chances to win a particular item, or spread throughout the bins to increase their chances of winning multiple items. At the end of the casino play, guests redeemed their chips for more raffle tickets and chances to win their faviorite raffle item. All five raffle packages were in demand: Sports Collector's Paradise--a unique custom framed, signed Shawn Marion jersey; Legends basketball autographed by NBA greats Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tom Chambers, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley and more; Framed Joe DiMaggio lithograph; Golfer Aaron Baddeley autographed photo & glove; Autographed Michael Jordan photo; Autographed Joe Torre baseball; 2 Autographed caps by famous father and son NASCAR racing legends Richard and Kyle Petty (value: priceless). James Elliot Jewelers donated a gift certificate (value: $2,500). San Diego Trip was donated by Southwest Airlines with a one night stay at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, two tickets to Legoland and a $25 gift certificate to Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, $500 gift card to Nordstrom (value: $1,100). Just "Fore" You golf package included Callaway Golf Bag & Clubs, Southern Dunes Golf Foursome, Two Ashworth Golf Shirts, Box of Golf Balls (value $3,600). The final raffle was a Shop 'til You Drop with Limo plus Dine Around Town for a Year--$500 gift card to Westcor Shopping Centers, Four Hour Limousine Service, Dinners at P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Don & Charlies, Flemings Steakhouse, Durant's, Fosters, 33 American Bistro, Z-Tejas, Ristorante Giuseppe, Blue Agave, Roaring Fork, Shogun and Pinata Nueva (value: $2,000). The evening was a blast and will be tough to top next year.
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