Community Corner

RI Celebs to Serve Dinner at Fundraising Gala on Friday

When Cranston Mayor Allan W. Fung was a boy, he worked at his family's Chinese restaurant in Cranston, serving up dinner to the masses.

On Friday, Fung, along with a host of other Rhode Island celebrities, will be taking on the server's role at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown as part of Sargent Rehabilitation Center's fourth annual signature fundraising gala.

It's called "Dinner is Served. . . Celebrity Hosts, Extraordinary cause" and it's a night of dinner and dancing to support the outpatient medical rehabilitation center that serves children and adults with disabilities.

Last year, the gala raised $30,000, said Holly Damm, director of development and community relations for Sargent Rehabilitation Center.

The event will be held from 6:30-10:30 pm at Quidnessett Country Club, North Kingstown, RI. NBC10 Anchor Gene Valicenti, also a WPRO talk show host, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the fourth consecutive year of “Dinner is Served”.

The unique and signature concept of the event is having celebrity hosts serve dinner to guests at their table. Every table of dining guests will have its own celebrity server who will compete in style and proficiency for tips and the opportunity to garner the “Silver Service Award."

The tips awarded by dinner guests, along with proceeds from the event, will directly benefit Sargent Center’s capital improvement and building expansion fund designed to expand its Warwick campus and improve programs for children and adults with disabilities. The event includes a four-course dinner, dancing to music by Mystique, and live and silent auctions. Tickets are $100 per person and may be purchased by visiting www.sargentcenter.org or calling 886-6613.

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Premier Level Sponsors include: Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation and NewPort Architecture, LLC/Pariseault Builders; Prestige Level Sponsors: Amica Insurance, Marilyn F. Serra, & The Washington Trust Company; Presenting Level Sponsors: Artisan Millwork, BankRI and Stanley Slowick.

A distinguished list of servers has signed on for Sargent’s gala. List of Confirmed Celebrity Servers To Date:

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  • The Honorable Scott Avedisian, Mayor of Warwick
  • Peter and Jayne Evangelista, Owners, World Trophies Providence
  • The Honorable Allan Fung, Mayor of Cranston
  • Will Gilbert, Co-host of The Rhode Show
  • Lynn Hall, President, BoldrDash Races
  • Michaela Johnson, Co-host of The Rhode Show
  • Kim Kalunian, WPRO News Anchor
  • Peter Koch, CEO Koch Eye Associates
  • Phil Kydd, URI Basketball Hall of Fame
  • Mike Lyons, Corporate Partnerships & Community Relations, Pawtucket Red Sox 
  • Jessica Marfeo, Miss Rhode Island 2013
  • Peter Marion, Founder & President of Maritime Gourmet Foods
  • Rick Medeiros, Director of Security, Pawtucket Red Sox 
  • Bill Pinelli, Owner, Pinelli’s Italian Café
  • Amy Pontes, Lite Rock 105 Midday Personality
  • Jessica, 92PRO-FM Midday Personality
  • Louie Stravato, Providence Police Department Veteran, Amazing Race Contestant Season 16

For more information on the event please call the Center’s Development Office at 401-886-6613. 



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