Celebrity Server Night Sets Record

A new record was set on Tuesday during Celebrity Waiters Night at Applebee’s in Athens. The annual fundraiser for the Athens City Relay For Life team raised $4,480 in just three hours. This year’s Celebrity Server Night was in memory of Councilmen Frank Travis and Kathy Cothren, who died of cancer last spring. Both were former celebrity waiters and relay team members.

A photo of Travis and Cothren was placed on a table at the event. The photo served as a reminder of the impact of cancer on families and the community and the significance of the evening’s event.

“We’ve heard all these stories from diners and Applebee staff who have been touched by cancer,” Hollman said. “Then you see a community – the community of Athens and Limestone County – come out and support the fight against cancer, it’s inspiring. Kathy and Frank would be proud that we set a new record tonight.

Familiar faces wore matching aprons and waited at tables for advice in support of Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society. Athens Ronnie Marks was one of the servers, and he was joined by Community Defender Laverne Gilbert, Athens High Coach Cody Gross, Athens Group Manager Ty Parker, East Limestone Group Manager Jennifer Janzen, Athens firefighter Brandon “Perm” Joyce, Fox 54 reporter Jasamine Byrd and Kathy Cothren’s daughter Sherie Prier.

Several travelers were surprised to have the mayor waiting for them as they stopped in Athens for dinner. A couple, Brad and Laurie Ardner, stopped in Athens on their way back to Minnesota.

“I saw the servers with the matching aprons and all the excitement of the community, and I finally understood what was going on,” said Laurie Ardner, a 12-year-old breast cancer survivor. “That’s wonderful.”

Brad Ardner showed off a tattoo on his arm, a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon in honor of his wife. When Mayor Marks asked them if they traveled to Athens often, they said they passed through the area. He gave them a map and told them to come to City Hall next time and that he would buy them coffee.

Before heading to Minnesota, they left Mayor Marks a generous tip and thanked this community for their efforts.

“This experience reminded us all why we continue to support the fight against cancer,” said Holly Hollman, Athens Relay For Life team captain. “Cancer can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. This cancer-stricken couple stopped by Athens the night we were fundraising for cancer. What’s special about it? »

At past Celebrity Waiter events, servers have competed to see who can raise the most money. This year, the competition wasn’t promoted, but Hollman said the servers were still “feisty” about raising the most money.

The top three earners this year were Mayor Ronnie Marks, Sherie Prier and Laverne Gilbert.

Those who were unable to attend but would like to donate, contact:

Athens City Relay For Life Team

Captain Holly Hollman

Box 562

Athens, AL 35612

“We couldn’t have been so successful tonight without all of our celebrity servers and the support of Applebee’s,” Hollman said. “The restaurant staff wore purple, the color of all cancer awareness, and they faced a large crowd for about three hours. Tonight is just one example of why Athens and Limestone County are special.