United Cerebral Palsy of Minnesota hosted its fourth annual Celebrity Waiters’ Dinner on Friday, November 9th at the St. Paul Hotel. Eighteen celebrities from the Twin Cities community waited tables and entertained guests to help UCPMN raise money, with emcee Todd Walker creating an entertaining and engaging evening.

UCPMN holds the annual event to raise funds for the programs administered from their St. Paul office. The funds raised help UCPMN provide augmentative communications devices, which allow people with disabilities to have a voice. Many times, people with cerebral palsy have a difficult time speaking or being heard and understood, and use a communication device. UCPMN lends communication devices for trial to potential buyers.

This year, Ronna Linroth, manager of the Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare—Phalen Clinic, was recognized for her efforts in improving the quality of health care for people with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Congressman Jim Ramstad was recognized for his many years of legislative support for disability issues.

Other highlights included former pro wrestler Greg Gagne generating tips by arm-wresting challengers at the lectern, KSTP anchor Brad Sattin raising tips by kissing the service dogs in training, and KSTP reporter Beth Jett providing entertainment by twirling a baton.

Glenn Fladeboe served as auctioneer and helped raise $3,000 in only two minutes.

Overall, the success of the auction, both live and silent, in addition to tips raised by celebrity waiters and donations, made the evening financially beneficial to UCPMN’s cause, as well as memorable and entertaining for those in attendance