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Celebrity Waiter Event packed with local celebrities and politicians

By Staff | Aug 24, 2010

ANDREA GALABINSKI Dr. Jennifer Gallo from the local Cape Coral Eye Center led this year’s pie in the face tradition with Cohen & Cohen Catering’s Baron Cohen. (She was careful not to get the pie in the eye, she said. She’s an optometrist.)

From a Macarena dance-off between a Lee County Commission chair woman and the Lee County sheriff, to a paid vow of love from a fire chief and a pie in the face, the North Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Celebrity Waiter’s event held a lot of fun for those that came to support education.

The event benefits a scholarship fund for local students, the biggest fund raiser of the year for the chamber.

“We exceeded expectations,” said North Fort Myers Chamber Executive Director Kim Constantine. “We had a 25 percent increase in donations from last year.”

Dr. Misty Green of Alabar Chiropractic & Rehab Center was the chairwoman of this year’s event. She said she was delighted with the turnout of community leaders who served as waiters. “It was also great to get all of the candidates from different political arenas all in one spot to help raise money for scholarships.”

Celebrity Waiters included Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott, NFM Fire Chief Terry Pye and Lee County Commission Chairwoman Tammy Hall.

Other waiters included Lindsay Liepman, anchor with WINK News; Ray Hair, State Farm, NFM Chamber Public Affairs Chairman; Dr. Terry Tucker, Tucker Vision; Lisa Cronin-Miller, Community Relations Director of LARC; Rachel Collins, 2010 Miss Teen Florida World; Virginia Cervasio, President of C.A.R.E.S Suicide Prevention; Brooke Huffmaster, Huffmaster Music and Baron Cohen, of Cohen & Cohen Catering.

Politician waiters included Mike Jackson, County Commissioner Candidate District 1; Eric Feichthaler, Lee County Candidate Court Judge Group 4; Dave Shestokas, Lee County Candidate Court Judge Group 3; Dick Ripp, County Commissioner Candidate, District 2; Matt Caldwell, State Representative Candidate District 73; Debbie Jordan, County Commissioner Candidate District 2; Cole Peacock, State Representative Candidate District 73; Dawson McDaniel BOD of Lee Memorial; Chris Hansen, Lee Memorial Health Systems BOD Candidate District 4; Sonny Haas, County Commissioner Candidate District 2; Debbie Jackow, County Commissioner Candidate District 4; Robert Branning, Lee County Court Judge Candidate Group 3; Mary Fischer, School Board District 1 Candidate; Arnold Gibbs, School Board District 1 Candidate; Robert Chilmonik, County Commissioner Candidate District 1; Deanna Casalino, candidate for Republican State Representative seat, District 73 and John E. Manning, County Commissioner Candidate District 1.

There was also a lot of student support from many area schools, including North Fort Myers High School, Island Coast High School and Fort Myers High School.

“Best Buy also donated three computers and their community service time toward the cause,” Constantine said.

“Mike Scott also did a push-up challenge, where he did 50 push-ups for $250,” Constantine said. “Also, Commissioner Tammy Hall matched every donation that her table raised.”

“What was really funny is that Court Judge Candidate Dave Shestokas sang, and was paid not to sing, by several at the event including candidate Sonny Haas,” said Constantine. “And candidates Arnold Gibbs and Mary Fischer were not to be missed. They sang a duet to each other.”

For information on any upcoming chamber event, call 997-9111.