2023 - Home

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 39 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.

2023 Waiters

Bobbie Allen & Jennifer Harnish
Sam Baker, Oles Morrison Rinker Baker & Beth Nagy, AIG Property Casualty
Carmen Best, Retired Seattle Police Chief & Bonnie “TG” Towne, Philanthropist
Suzie Burke, Fremont Dock; John Carlson, 570 KVI Radio & Brent Williams-Ruth, BWR Consulting
Clise Properties
Dan Ederer & Ralph Chiocco
Peter and Barbara Mitchell-Briner, Bank of America
Khue Dang, PNC Bank; Sonny Pham, PNC Bank; Jen Wen, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices NW Real Estate

Bob Hentges, BNBuilders & Christy Hentges, Intermedia
John & Kathy Hlebica, UPS
Nick King & Spencer Hawes
Stephanie & Aaron Kornblum
Laura Larson, Laz Parking
Gary McLean & Marie Durflinger, DDS, Bella Dental Care
Laura MacNeil, PNC Bank & Ian MacNeil, Glass Distillery
Mark Pinkowski, Wells Fargo Bank
Frank Stauff, Compass Construction

Beneficiary

WHO WE ARE WHAT WE DO

The Seattle Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises supplemental funding for the Seattle Police Department. We have 3.5 FTEs and 35 board members who come from diverse backgrounds. In 2022, we celebrated 20 years of service to the men and women of SPD!

We help bridge the crucial gap between what the City can fund for the police department and what it cannot. In addition to funding programs and initiatives that build community and improve officer and community safety, we provide grants to SPD officers and staff.

2022 Grants Funded by Seattle Police Foundation:

Fallen K9 Jedi’s memorial
Spring/summer protective riding gear for the SPD Motorcycle Unit
Updated rain gear for the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit and K9 Unit
4 Cs – Cops, Community, Cutz, and Convos program, which provided free haircuts to Seattle’s youth
Partnered with Motorola Solutions Foundation to fund Outward Mindset training for the entire department
Improvements to one of the SWAT vehicles to ensure officer safety
2022 Heroes and Helpers (Shop with a Cop) holiday shopping event
Translate crime prevention materials into five languages and pay for printing costs
Flag football “Turkey Bowl” and other events hosted by the Wellness Unit
Virtual reality training to help officers better serve people with trauma, autism, schizophrenia, and dementia
Repairs to Harbor Patrol Boat 4 and updated rescue devices (throw bags) for all Harbor boats and SPD precincts

SEATTLE POLICE FOUNDATION'S ONGOING SUPPORT

Beds for Kids – Founded in 2014 by two SPD officers, Beds for Kids is a Seattle Police Foundation staple! To date, we’ve helped provide nearly 2,000 beds to youth in need in our community.
The Seattle Police Department EMT Unit – The mission of the Seattle Police Department’s EMT Unit is to provide lifesaving medical aid to the victims of violent crime until fire/EMS professionals arrive and are permitted to enter the scene. The goal is to bridge any gaps, extend the continuum of care, and save as many lives as possible. Since 2018, we’ve invested over $250,000 in the lifesaving EMT Unit!

Safe Place – The Safe Place program is a partnership between the police department, schools, and the business community to help respond to hate crimes. SPF support provides program materials translated into five non- English languages.

Victim Support Team – We provide funding to help survivor advocates provide emergency hotel vouchers, food, Uber rides, and other personal care items for crime survivors and their families.

Detective Cookie’s Chess Club – We have proudly funded this transformational program since 2006, providing chess boards and other supplies, snacks, and transportation costs to ensure that chess club members can participate in local tournaments

Visit the Seattle Police Foundation Website, HERE

Visit the home page

News & Events

Virtual Reality Training Fundraiser
KOMO News

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 2024 theme:

Save The Date For Our 2024 Auction
The 40th Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon will be held on Friday, May 10, 2024, starting at 11:00 am with Auctioneer Fred Northup, Jr.

Tod Leiweke is Our 2023 Community Service Award Recipient!