The Junior League of Lansing hosted its largest annual Lunch With League fundraiser at the University Club of Michigan State University on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. The event had more than 300 individuals in attendance, double the previous year.

Guests mingled over lunch with friends and family while being served by Lansing area celebrities. This fun-loving event not only raised $27,449 for the mission of the Junior League of Lansing through ticket sales, monetary tips and sponsorships, but also served as an opportunity for local community leaders to try their hand as wait staff by serving their guests a delicious lunch.

Attendees provided monetary tips to the celebrity servers by putting the money directly into clear backpacks representing JLL’s recent partnership with Lansing’s Riddle Elementary School. The League has made a monthly commitment in 2018-2019 to provide the school with Weekend Survival Kits, which are supplemental nutrition kits given to food-insecure students. They contain enough food for five to six meals.

“This was an incredible opportunity to show support and give back to the community we love and live in,” said The Honorable Andy Schor, Mayor of the City of Lansing and a Celebrity Server. “I am very proud to represent the city of Lansing and partner with the Junior League of Lansing in support of their mission to strengthen the community through education, voluntarism and leadership.”

“It is wonderful to see so many members of the community and Celebrity Servers come together to show their support for the Junior League of Lansing,” said Celebrity Server Gabrielle Lawrence, Lansing School District Board Member, attorney at Shea Aiello PLLC in Okemos and JLL Sustainer Member. “A portion of the funds raised today will be used to support projects at Riddle Elementary School through the Weekend Survival Kit Program. As a member of the Lansing School Board we are so grateful for such a wave of support.”

The Junior League of Lansing is excited to use the proceeds to continue its mission to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve the community through the effective use of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

“I am proud and humbled by the generosity of the Celebrity Servers and attendees that rallied together to support our Mission through this year’s Lunch With League event,” said 2018-2019 President Heather Frick. “As Junior League is in its 87^th year of service to the Greater Lansing community, Lunch with League honors our history ensuring women have a seat at the table while celebrating our Mission detailing how JLL is making an impact today.”

Event sponsors included: AF Group, Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood, Foster Swift, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union, Physicians Health Plan, University Club of Michigan State University, VisionCare Associates and Walmart.

This year’s Celebrity Servers and their business affiliations were (in alphabetical order): Whitney Anderson-Harrell, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union; Megan Doyle-Busque, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; Lori Fuller, Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Realty; Michelle Gimbutis, The Barre Code; Karen Grannemann, University Club of MSU; Cliff Haka, MSU Libraries; Hillary Henderson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices; Steve Japinga, Lansing Regional Chamber; Gabrielle Johnson Lawrence, Lansing School District board member and attorney at Shae Aiello Litigation firm; Maggie Louks, AF Group; Susan Lupo, VisionCare Associates; Michelle Massey, Dewpoint; Scott Norman, Physicians Health Plan; Scott Norman, Physicians Health Plan; Lieutenant Lisa Rish, Michigan State Police; Rocco Rucinski, PNC Wealth Management; Mayor Andy Schor, City of Lansing; Ryan Sebolt, Ingham County Commissioner, District 2; Jessica Tramontana, Martin Waymire; and Dana Zecchino, Coldwell Banker Hubbell Briarwood Realty.