The Stars Came Out At Night! The 5th Annual RBC Meals on Wheels Celebrity Box Social was a huge success once again thanks to the wonderful people who attended and those who supported the event through time, gifts, and sponsorships. It was definitely the largest crowd in the history of the event. With more celebrities, restaurants, and silent auction items everyone was energized and the atmosphere electric. As always, the food was delicious and plentiful.  In the Empire Ballroom, guests nibbled on luscious chocolate covered strawberries, creamy chocolate mousse and fruit skewers. The pièce de résistance was the crêpes station. Hosting for the fifth consecutive year was Corus Entertainment’s Kevin Spriggs.  Always game to play, Kevin shared the limelight and the podium with Mulder and Magoo, West Edmonton Mall’s star penguins and launched what would turn out to be the most memorable and hilarious evening of entertainment.  Bidding was brisk throughout the evening with the highest live auction package bid going to the Round Trip Via Rail Package for 2 for $1500.00. The highest celebrity bid was for Team 1260’s Jason Gregor for $1300. Jason’s value added package included a dinner package for 2 people at the Keg Restaurant in the company of himself and Edmonton Oilers, Jarrett Stoll. But it didn’t end there.  Also included in Jason’s package  were Box seats in the “Prism Flow Products Luxury Suite” at Rexall place for an Oilers game and a Blue Sky Limo ride to and from the game to round off the evening. Other notable celebrities auctioned off during the evening included jazz great and Ottawa Senator, Tommy Banks for a dinner for 4 at Jack’s Grill. In local politics, Councillor Linda Sloan was auctioned off with a lunch for 6 at Kids in the Hall.  In the sports arena was Olympic Bobsledder Pierre Lueders who was matched with the Upper Crust Café for a dinner for 4. Popular television media celebrities included Paul Mennier and Stacey Brotzel from Citytv, CBC radio and television personalities, Portia Clark, Mark Connolly and Ron Wilson. Radio personalities also included EZ Rock’s Shane Michaels, Cheryl Brooks and Robin Allen as a threesome for a dinner for 6 at Gabanna Casual Dining restaurant.  In the entertainment field, Brian Deedrick, the artistic director with the Edmonton Opera was paired with the Blue Plate Diner for a dinner for 4 and generously donated an exclusive viewing of a dress rehearsal performance of this fall’s “Don Giovanni” for the lucky winner.  The Fairmont Hotel MacDonald’s own Executive chef, Patrick Turcot also took to the auction block and was auctioned off to one lucky bidder for an opportunity to dine with Chef Turcot at a dinner for 6 in the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald’s kitchen for a day of cooking, eating, drinking! In total over 36 national and local celebrities were auctioned off during the live and silent auctions and a total of 40 of Edmonton’s finest restaurants were showcased. And finally, I’ve saved the best for last. New for 2006 was the addition of several exciting adventure packages. The most memorable ones were “24 hours in the life of a Canadian soldier” at CFB Camp Wainwright and a CF-18 simulator flight at the 4 Wing Air Force Base in Cold Lake. A day of jet boat adventure on the North Saskatchewan River and a ride-along in the Edmonton Police’s  "Air 1"  police helicopter. A discovery flight  over Edmonton for 3 people aboard an Edmonton Flying Club’s 4 seater Cessna. Over 245 people attended this year's unique event and raised more than $36,000 for Meals on Wheels. We extend a huge thank you to all the people who worked so hard and contributed so much to make this event the success that it was. Our guests who attended, the celebrities who bravely took to the stage, our sponsors, local restaurateurs, those who donated gifts for auction, our Board of Directors, event volunteers and agency staff, thank you Edmonton. The Celebrity Box Socials just keep getting better with each year. Mark Friday, September 21st, 2007 at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald on your calendar for the next opportunity you’ll have to eat chocolate for charity and dine with a celebrity.