United Way of Lake County Raises Record $40,000+ at 16th Annual “Luck of the Irish” Celebrity Server Fundraiser
March 26, 2019 – Mentor, OH – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) hosted their 16th Annual “Luck of the Irish” Celebrity Server Fundraiser March 14, 2019 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the American-Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. Hundreds of community leaders, officials, CEO’s and businesspersons turned out in support of the organization’s largest annual fundraiser to benefit Lake County’s most vulnerable residents.
This year’s event raised a record-breaking amount totaling over $40,000. This represents a 30% increase over the amount raised last year. According to UWLC President & CEO Jennifer McCarty, “I’m pleased the fundraiser continues to remain popular and that collectively, we are able to impact lives right here in Lake County.”
A long list of Celebrity Servers were on-hand to raise donations for UWLC by waiting tables to earn tips. Over 500 guests attended this year’s fundraiser.
“The increase in funds raised this year is due primarily to the efforts of our 2018 Campaign Chair Morris Beverage III,” said UWLC Director of Marketing and Communications. “Morris served as a first-time Celebrity Server and single-handedly raised $5,000 in tips from his table. This is the most any one server has raised since the rollout of the event and we are very grateful to him for going above and beyond.”
“Morris also had his beard died a rainbow of colors to match the spirit of the day, letting donors of his Dress Up January fundraiser vote on the color he must sport at Celebrity Server,” Lewis said.
Radio personality Jeremy James from “Mark & Jer” in the Morning on Mix 97.1 served as MC and DJ, with guests taking their turn at karaoke to belt out Irish tunes and other favorites. A traditional Irish lunch of corned beef, cabbage and all the fixings were served. Irish auction winners walked away with prizes that included a $900 Gift Basket from Ladies & Gentlemen Aveda Salon & Spa, a 55” SMART TV, a Scooter, Ohio State Buckeye football tickets donated by State Representative John M. Rogers, Cleveland Indians Club Seat Tickets, an Adult Scooter, a Kate Spade bag, Golf Passes, Shopping Sprees and a lot more. In total, over 50 prizes were awarded.
Two WinningXTwo raffle ticket winners, along with their non-profit beneficiaries of choice were each awarded $1,250 at the end of the event. Raffle tickets for this were on sale from mid-January through the finale of the fundraiser when winners were selected.
Lake County residents Bryan Thomas and Daniel Crowder each took home $1,250 from the WinningXTwo raffle. Bryan Thomas’ non-profit beneficiary of choice was United Way of Lake County’s Youth United Way program and Daniel Crowder’s was St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Both will also receive $1,250 each. The raffle was sponsored by Lighthouse Advisers in Mentor.
According to McCarty, “I was moved by the generosity of our guests, Celebrity Servers and sponsors. It was a fabulous day for our community and a win for the thousands of residents who find themselves in need.”
The Lubrizol Corporation was the fundraiser’s presenting sponsor. Additional sponsors included Lake Health, SMART Local #33, the Lake County Captains, The News-Herald, Erie Bank, CT Consultants, Cornerstone IT and Lakeland Community College.