Celebrities to wait tables Friday

   While diners are anticipating super service from "celebrities" in Yuma Friday evening, they'll be entertained, because the servers have slightly satirical personalities.

  This is the 22nd annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society research in Arizona, with a goal this year of $50,000. It will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Yuma Golf and Country Club, 3150 S. Fortuna Ave.

  Annie Fisher, one of the coordinators of the fundraiser, said, "The theme this year is 'Lei Aloha,' with entertainment by Hui O Hawaii of Yuma."

  Auction items include stays in San Antonio, Los Angeles or Washington, D.C., a week in a two-bedroom condo in Sedona, and furniture from Houston's Furniture Galleries.

  Little John will be the master of ceremonies and auctioneer.

  A highlight will be recognition of Laurie Houston, who has tallied more than two decades of volunteering.

  Houston is a strong supporting member of the Team in Training program.

  "Our marathons are open to all ages," she said. "People are trained to participate, and there are professional coaches to help.

  "This is the world's largest endurance training program that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society," Houston explained. "I first got into volunteering with the celebrity dinners, then started training for endurance running for a month.

  "My first fundraising event was a marathon. I sent out letters to people for support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and actually raised $5,000. I was excited and pleased with the support.

  "From 2005 until now, I've been in two marathons - 26.2 miles in each, and a half-marathon of 13.1 - and personally been able to raise $15,000 for the programs.

  "Just last year, my two daughters, Tiffany and Tenille, and six of their friends joined by in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego, which brought in $20,000."

  Houston enjoys the marathons. She has always been fitness-oriented and had an aerobic private business in Yuma.

  She's a mentor for the Team in Training and talked about how purple T-shirts are worn, with the name of the person they're supporting on the back. "It's encouraging for people to just cross the finish line in any of the marathons."

  Houston added, "I've been fortunate that no one in my family has had leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma or Hodgkin's, but we have known friends who have faced these diseases."

  Houston has also volunteered at least 20 hours each month for the offices in San Diego.

  Her future projects include two more marathons in San Diego in June, plus the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco Oct. 19, "when about 20,000 will be running and every penny collected will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society."

  As for the Celebrity Waiters Dinner in Yuma, Scott Takinen of Arizona Public Service said, "We have been supporting this event for nearly a decade, and meeting patients assisted by the funds we raise warms me to know we have gone beyond us providing home and are finding successful treatments for blood cancers."

  Fisher Automotive is a gold sponsor. Silver sponsors are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Yuma Regional Medical Foundation and Westerner Products.

  Tickets are $480 for a table of eight; $60 single, or $75 at the door.

  Checks should be made payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, mailed to Annie Fisher at 14672 S. Avenue 4-1/4E, Yuma, AZ 85365, or call 581-3588.

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Pam M. Smith can be reached at
psmith@yumasun.com or 539-6856.