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 40 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.

2025 Waiters

• Ian Adair, CEO Seattle Police Foundation
• Bobbie Allen & Alan Chaffee, Turning Point
• Sam Baker, Smith Currie; Beth Nagy, AIG Property Casualty, Jennifer Harnish
• Carmen Best, Retired Seattle Police Chief & Bonnie “TG” Towne, Philanthropist
• Jose Flores, JPMorgan Chase & Danielle Flores, Opentrons Lab Works, Inc.
• Bob Hentges, Skanska & Christy Hentges, Intermedia
• John & Kathy Hlebica, National Beverage Corp./UPS
  

• Nick King & Spencer Hawes
• Stephanie & Aaron Kornblum, Kornblum Legal PLLC
• Laura MacNeil, PNC Bank & Ian MacNeil, Glass Distillery
• David Madeira, America's Automotive Trust; Valerie O'Shea
• Gary McLean & Marie Durflinger, DDS, Bella Dental Care 
• Deborah Meisenbach, Honoree John Meisenbach
  
• Cherie Skager, Kirkland Chamber & Lynne Houserman
• Frank Stauff, Compass Construction

Beneficiary

WHO WE ARE          WHAT WE DO

The Seattle Police Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission to raise support and awareness for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Founded in 2002, the Seattle Police Foundation has had the honor to support and promote the good work of the Seattle Police Department for 23 years.

The Seattle Police Foundation board of directors and staff are committed to supporting SPD through a number of ways - raising mission awareness, cultivating philanthropic support, and building strong community partnerships throughout Seattle.

The Foundation utilizes the generous contributions of our community members and funding partners to enhance the Seattle Police Department’s efforts in three vital areas:

• Community Partnerships – Programs that enhance relationships between the community and the Seattle Police Department.
• Employee Development – Advanced training and employee recognition programs.
• Police Service Enhancements – Cutting-edge and specialized equipment and technology.

By supporting projects in these funding areas, our public-private partnership allows the Seattle Police Department increased ability to serve Seattle’s public safety needs.

In addition to funding programs and initiatives that build community and improve officer and community safety, the foundation provides grants to SPD officers and civilian staff to help bring their ideas to life – all with a focus on public safety and crime prevention.

By providing this support, we bridge the gap between what the city of Seattle’s budget can provide for the Department and what it cannot. In our current environment where technology, strong partnerships, and the latest equipment are a must to help keep communities safe, the need is greater than it’s ever been.

For more information, please visit SPF’s website at: www.seattlepolicefoundation.org.  

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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 2025 theme:

Save The Date For Our 2025 Auction
The 41st Annual Celebrity Waiters Luncheon will be held  on Friday, May 9, 2025, starting at 11:00 am with Auctioneer Fred Northup, Jr.

John Meisenbach is Our 2025 Community Service Posthumous Award ​Recipient!

2025 Sponsors

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

2025 Title Sponsor

2025 Gold Sponsor

2025 Silver Sponsor

2025 In-Kind Sponsor

Spotlight Sponsor: 

Please feel free to reach us!