2nd Annual Wishes & More Celebrity Waiter Dinner

On Sunday, July 16, 2006, local celebrities picked up a serving tray for the Wishes & More  second annual celebrity waiter dinner.  Sammy, an 8-year-old Forest Lake boy, received his wish at the event, and became the highlight of the evening.  After months of agonizing over his wish, Sammy narrowed it down to either meeting Minnesota Twin, Lew Ford, or getting his own four-wheeler.  Imagine his surprise when Ford rode into the event on a blue 4-wheeler. 

Sammy hasn’t stopped smiling!

Sammy and Lew Ford

Tyler with his Grandfather and Dean Garrett

Tyler with the Minnesota cheerleaders


Board member, Crystal Knotek, with daughters Ali (Teens-4-Kids) and Lexi

Dean Garret with Wishes & More President, Karla Blomberg
(and yes, she really IS that size, and yes, he really IS that size)

Dean Garrett with Jackie and John Hines

As dinner time came around, the celebrities were put to work.  They donned their aprons and retreated to the kitchen to load up their trays.  Throughout the evening, the celebrities competed for tips from the guests.  Twins outfielder, Michael Cuddyer, relied on more than just his serving skills to earn his gratuity.  The baseball star impressed the guests with card tricks, but rumor has it that John Gordon was “selling” the opportunity to have Michael perform his magic.  The final tally had John Hines winning the competition by raising $755 in tips for Wishes & More, and Michael was a close second!  


Michael Cuddyer serves it up

Michael Cuddyer being interviewed

 

Host, Clay Matvick

Broadcaster, Bert Blyleven, continued his legacy for outrageous antics by offering to swallow a pair of gold fish for $1200 to benefit Wishes & More.  The crowd jumped on the chance, and later watched as Blyleven downed two goldfish, then ran over to plant a big kiss on his wife Gayle.

John Gordon, Bert Blyleven, and Tom Reid

 
Clay Matvick and Karla Blomberg address their guests

Dean Garrett, former Timberwolf, Tom Reid, broadcaster, and Scott LeDoux, former heavy weight boxer, looked right at home in an apron.  Author, Marsha Wilson Chall, knew her way around the kitchen, and Jim Pellinger did a fabulous job of waiting on tables in-between musical renditions.  Host, Clay Matvick, greeted guests, waited on tables, and brought out a guitar at the end of the evening.  It was a memorable evening for everyone.


Bert Blyleven and Tom Reid are the team waiters to be reckoned with!

 Wishes & More would like to thank all of the celebrities, volunteers, and guests for making the evening such a success.


Bert Blyleven with John and Shelly Seidel and Linda Hahn of American Bank


Our friends from American Bank

A special THANKS goes to Rory O'Neill Photography,
who graciously captured our event.
( www.rorythomas.com  612.722.0141 )