About Us

The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon was founded in 1984 by Gene Juarez with the help of Dick Friel, Michael Malone, David Wymann, Jr. (Phil Smart Jr.), Brooks Whittle, and Ron Neubauer.  Their objective was to create a unique and innovative lunchtime auction comprised with key business and community leaders. Guests are invited to sit at their table and are waited on by their Celebrity Waiter host. The waiter encourages their table guests to bid on auction items, donate through raise the paddle and “tip” their waiter throughout this fun-filled, themed event. This inventive formula has made Celebrity Waiters Luncheon one of the most successful daytime Seattle auctions for over 36 years.

Our Mission

​The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon Organization serves the Puget Sound area by raising funds annually for a local charitable organization in the areas of Education, Health, Human Services and Children/Youth.

2021 Waiters

• Sam Baker, Oles Morrison Rinker Baker & Beth Nagy, AIG Property Casualty
  
• Kathy Cox, City University of Seattle & Chris Gehrke, Uplift Northwest & City University of Seattle
• Bob & Christy Hentges, Advisors NW
• John & Kathy Hlebica, UPS
• Gene Juarez

• Brigitte Klene, Amazon
• Stephanie Kornblum
• Gary McLean & Marie Durflinger, DDS, Bella Dental Care
• Ian MacNeil, Glass Vodka & Laura MacNeil, PNC Financial Services Group
  
• Brad Ray, Casa for Children
  
• Jack Sikma - CWL Honoree

Beneficiary

 Uplift Northwest
Empowerment through Employment

For 100 years, Uplift Northwest (formerly Millionair Club Charity) has operated as a nonprofit temporary staffing organization with services geared to the needs of a person experiencing poverty and/or homelessness, and likely with little to no resources. Uplift Northwest believes a job is empowering and provides hope, strength, courage, confidence, purpose, and an opportunity to stabilize one’s life.
 
From 2013 to 2020, Celebrity Waiters Luncheon has raised over $1.70 million in support of Uplift Northwest, a Seattle-based non-profit. The money raised from last year’s luncheon will help enroll hundreds of men and women in a supportive employment program that provides opportunities to achieve financial stability and steady housing. Uplift Northwest looks to increase their community outreach in 2021 and lead job recovery efforts in response to COVID-19.

In 2019, this successful formula earned Uplift Northwest workers $2.1M in wages, and they paid $266,554 in back into the community in taxes.
 
By removing barriers, Uplift Northwest provides dignified work opportunities and support services to nearly 1,000 men and women annually experiencing poverty and homelessness – offering a job, a hot meal, a shower, laundry services, vision care, transportation passes, career coaching, medical, dental, cell phone, computer training and work certification, all in one location.
 
You can hire workers for your next job, donate to the cause, and find out more by visiting www.upliftnw.org.

About Uplift Northwest
Uplift Northwest’s mission (formerly Millionair Club Charity): We guide people on their path to self-sufficiency by providing employment and job readiness services.
 
Uplift Northwest runs a unique supportive employment program out of Belltown with services that help men and women who are homeless or have little or no resources to become job ready.
 
In addition to a full temporary staffing operation, Uplift Northwest provides a meals program,  access to showers and laundry facilities, work clothes, job training, occupational licensing, free eye glasses, and affordable housing opportunities. Qualified workers are matched with jobs through a network of over 1,000 local employers.
 
Uplift Northwest’s ultimate goal: helping men and women achieve stability, hope, and dignity through steady employment opportunities and fundamental job readiness services.
 
To find out more about Uplift Northwest’s vital community work, visit www.upliftnw.org, or schedule a call/tour with Marci Servizi at marcis@upliftnw.org.

Please note Millionair Club Charity has become Uplift Northwest, effective October 2020. New name, same great mission!

View your dollars at work

News & Events

Uplift Northwest (formerly Millionair Club Charity) honored worker Shanice with an Employee of the Year award for her outstanding commitment and hard work throughout the year. The award was presented at the 2019 Cheers for Champions gala event. Shanice proudly works at Centurylink stadium for Seahawks games, Sounders games, and special events.

Watch the video below:

Celebrity Waiters
​Luncheon of Seattle

​CWL is one of the most successful, zaniest, over-the-top luncheon charity events in the United States. Its success is about the organized chaos, costumes, pranks, and a swelling SPIRIT of fun, along with an “on vacation” mentality. With the combination of wonderful auction items and generous donors, CWL helps to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone involved.

The Celebrity Waiters 2021 theme:
Celebrating 100 Years
Honoring the Past & Looking to the Future

Save The Date For Our 2021 Auction
The 37th Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon will be held  on Friday, May 14, 2021, with Auctioneers David Silverman and Fred Northup, Jr.

Our 2021 Community Service Award
​Recipient is Jack sikma

2021 Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Presenting Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

Spotlight Sponsor: Downtown Seattle Association

Please feel free to reach us!