LUTCHER — The St. James Parish Relay for Life Committee, under the direction of Tania Lloyd, chair, and Jessica Griffin, co-chair, recently held the second annual Celebrity Waiter Event at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie. The event brought in representatives from local and state government, industries and businesses throughout the parish for an entertaining evening that helped to raise more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Well-known parishioners were asked to stand-in as “celebrity” waiters. Prior to the event, waiters were asked to sell or purchase tickets to fill their tables. Proceeds from the tickets directly benefit Relay for Life, but the fundraising didn’t stop there. On event night, the “celebrities” were responsible for wining and dining their tables, which brought in even more money through tips.

This year’s waiters included: Oak Alley Plantation Owner Zeb Mayhew Jr. (Spirit Award Winner); Sheriff Willy Martin (Most Likely to Succeed Award Winner); Representative Clay Schexnayder (Hardest Working Award Winner); Mosaic’s William Adams (Funniest Award Winner); Mosaic’s John Mcllwain (Most Energetic Award Winner); Judge Jude Gravois (Best Dressed Award Winner); St. James Parish Hospital CEO Mary Ellen Pratt (Largest Tip Award Winner) and Quality Machine Works’ Mitch Martin (Happiest Award Winner).  

Attendees enjoyed live music by the band CBS Trio, which donated its services to help provide entertainment for the event that shared the overall Relay theme, “Rockin’ for a Cure.” Guests were treated to several courses of creole favorites and in addition to a good time and good food, many left with door prizes, which were generously donated by different businesses in the area.

Thanks to the heartwarming generosity of community members, sponsors and local businesses, the hard work of the “celebrity” waiters and the dedication of the committee, this year’s event raised nearly three times the amount earned at last year’s inaugural event. Pam Thibodaux, Survivor chair and Celebrity Waiter Event chair, helped organize the event, and the main event sponsor was Mosaic. Additional corporate sponsors included: Sheriff Willy Martin, St. James Parish Hospital, Oak Alley Planation and Quality Machine Works.

Also, Oak Alley Planation for donated the reception room and helped to facilitate the event, and Regaina’s Sewing Table and Schexnayder’s Supermarket made donations.

St. James Parish’s Relay for Life event will be held April 6 at Lutcher Park from 3 p.m. to 5 a.m. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.

org and search for the “Lutcher” event or “like” the St. James Relay for Life Facebook Page.