Sylvan Lake Boston Pizza recently held their second Celebrity Server Night in support of the Shirley Pickering Foundation - an organization that helps out young families support the costs of playing hockey.
The evening takes local Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey celebrities and puts a tray in their hands as they attempt to take on the role of a Boston Pizza server. Ten per cent of all regular food sales are given directly to the cause. The servers and kitchen staff generously offered their tips from the evening as well. The Sylvan Lake Scotiaback matched all the donations on the evening.
General Manager Shaun Grondin was pleased that this charitable event continues at Boston Pizza in Sylvan Lake.
“We have raised funds for Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey but never with an ongoing Celebrity Server Night,” he said.
The team at Boston Pizza was looking to improve on the $1,200 raised in last year’s event. This charity is one of the many community partnerships that Boston Pizza has forged with Sylvan Lake, according to Assistant Manager for Boston Pizza, Fay Harris.
“We are committed to community sponsorships,” she said. “In January we start our heart sales for two dollars, which goes directly into our future prospects funds which is the Boston Pizza National Umbrella. They disperse the money back to the individual communities. We’ve done fund raising with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Community Partners, Incline Industries and the H.J. Cody Grad Fund.”
According to Grondin, this event is all about having a good time for a good cause. The celebrity servers also catch on to their new duties very quickly.
“We both participated last year and it’s a lot of fun,” said Grondin. “They will be a little tentative in the beginning but by about a half hour in, everyone is having lots of fun and there are lots of smiles. They are talking about Sylvan Lake Minor Hockey and engaging the customers. It’s a great cause.”
Harris was pleased with the turnout for this event - both this year and last.
“We had a lot of people come in specifically for this event,” she said. “Our servers help the celebrities through every step of the way and we are thankful for all the people of Sylvan Lake who have supported us along the way.”
Grondin added, “This year is great and it will be better every year.”
reporter@sylvanlakenews.com