NORTH AUGUSTA — Food, fun and tips is how the community came out to support a local nonprofit that helps children.
Celebrity Waiter Night was held in North Augusta on May 12 to support Children’s Place and its therapeutic programs.
Children’s Place is a nonprofit that is dedicated to protecting, healing and strengthening children and families impacted by trauma through education treatment and prevention services. Celebrity Waiter Night supports the Children’s Place therapeutic program by raising funds from tips.
Celebrity waiters were at Sno-Cap Drive-In, The Feed Sack in North Augusta, Manuel’s Bread Café, Brink’s Tavern and Beech and Barrel.
Several women from Palmetto Cheer Elite were at Brink’s Tavern helping to serve guests who were out for the evening.
Jeanne Norris, who serves as a board member at Children’s Place, said the organization offers programs which help children who might be facing a hurdle with speech and occupational therapy and other services.
“Doing this helps funds our programs,” Norris said.
Norris said some of the children they serve have health insurance, but it doesn’t pay fully for all the services. Norris said Children’s Place also gives out scholarships for support.
Norris said a lot of children who live in North Augusta are bused to Children’s Place for services.
“To have the support of the community to come in and donate as well as the restaurants to allow us to come in is tremendous,” she said.
Norris said the event also gives people an understanding of what Children’s Place does, while making it visible in the community.
Rachel Ryan, who was with the Palmetto Cheer group, decided to participate in Celebrity Waiter Night because Children’s Place does a lot for children in the community. Ryan said being a celebrity waiter for the night is one way she is able to help.
“It’s a good way for us to give back and spending a little bit of time helping to raise money for a good cause,” she said.
North Augusta resident Jan Boulineau was having dinner with her husband at Brink’s Tavern. As a former educator, she has been supporting Celebrity Waiter Night for many years and knows how Children’s Place made a difference in her students’ lives.
“It’s a great cause for the Children’s Place and the fantastic thing that they do and taking care of kids,” she said.
North Augusta Mayor Briton Williams said the event is great because because it helps to support the needs for children.
“Our children are the future and Children’s Place is leading that charge,” he said.
Williams said seeing all the citizens come out at Sno-Cap and giving out tips was amazing.
“Thankful the tips were not based on my service skills,” Williams said jokingly. “North Augusta should be proud.”
The next Celebrity Waiter Night will be held May 18 in Aiken at various restaurants.
The goal for 2026 was to raise $200,000. In 2025, $189,508 was raised from Celebrity Waiter Night.