Dawson County School Superintendent Dr. Damon Gibbs stands with Charles Beusse, DCHS cross country coach take a minute from waiting on tables to pose for a picture at the Celebrity Waiter fundraiser for Dawson County Family Connection.

Serving the community takes on a new meaning for some

By Denise Ray This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Local celebrities donned aprons and served up smiles all for a good cause.

The 10th annual fundraiser for Dawson County Family Connection had hundreds of customers waiting June 1 to be served breakfast at Longhorn by local elected officials and familiar faces.

“Special thanks go to Chick Fil-A and Jill Grey and her staff at Longhorn that make this go so smoothly,” said a very grateful Nancy Stites, Family Connections coordinator. “And the waiters’ hard work does not go unnoticed. They must be having as much fun as the rest of us, because they all ask to come back!”

Those servers, including Dawson County Sheriff Jeff Johnson, vied for the coveted “Celebrity Waiter of the Year” title by accumulating the most in tips. Johnson did not know how much he had raised but was clearly humbled by a generous tip he spotted in his jar.

“I don’t know how much I raised, although I did spy a $50 someone so graciously tipped,” Johnson said.

In the end, County Commissioner Chris Gaines raised $197.40 and walked away with the coveted title.

Johnson is confident for a return engagement next year, saying “I believe I solidified my spot for next year, I didn’t spill anything on anyone.”

This was Johnson’s second year as a server. Board of Education Chair Karen Armstrong was another event veteran. Coach Charles Beusse, Dawson County High School Principal Brody, and Superintendent Damon Gibbs rounded out the group representing Dawson County Schools.

Rotarians Scott Yochum and Pepper Pettit continued their tradition of attending as costumed characters. Previously dressed at “mafiosos” chose a more relaxed theme this year and appeared as the Skipper and Gilligan from television’s Gilligan’s Island. The duo offered a “three-hour tour” and raised over $200.

“We are still collecting money from those selling tickets but think profit will be right at $5,000 which is the most we’ve made yet,” said Stites. “Thanks to our donors and all the diners. It was such great fun.”

Dawson County Family Connection is a partnership of organizations working with families to research the needs of children and families in our community and work together to address those needs. Some of the organizations include Dawson County Schools, the sheriff’s office, county and city government, the Department of Family & Children Service, Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Public Health.

Photos Courtesy of Dawson Family Connection

Dawsonville City Council member Jason Power, left, chats with DCHS Coach Brent Cox, center, and DCHS Principal Brody Hughes while waiting tables at Longhorn in Dawsonville.