Eat Chocolate for Charity - Dine with a Celebrity 6th Annual Meals on Wheels Celebrity Box Social The 6th Annual Meals on Wheels Celebrity Box Social, presented by the Canadian Western Bank, was a huge success, thanks to the wonderful people who attended and those who supported the event through their sponsorships, time, and product donations. The Fairmont Hotel's new Executive Chef, David Wong, prepared an amazing chocolate dessert buffet that featured everything a chocoholic might crave, from chocolate dipped strawberries, brownies, and chocolate mousse to chocolate crepes and a sumptuous chocolate fondue. Rapid Fire Theatre, Edmonton's own improvisational troupe, kicked things off with a hilarious round of audience participation antics that warmed up the already enthusiastic crowd. Chris Craddock, the Artistic Director of the troupe, took up the gavel to auction off Bridget Ryan of Citytv, this year's host auctioneer for the evening and the first celebrity on the auction block. Bidding was frenzied throughout the evening, with the top live auction bid of $2000 going to the round trip VIA Rail package to Vancouver. The top live celebrity bid was a tie between Edmonton Journal columnist Scott McKeen and Edmonton food celebrity Gail Hall, both going for $750 each. One of last year's popular adventure experience packages, 24 Hours in the Life of a Soldier, was a hit with the audience again this year. The spirited bidding topped $1500, prompting Major Andrew Lussier from Camp Wainwright to offer a second package which was quickly snapped up by Edmonton City Councillor Kim Krushell as a gift for her husband. Other notable celebrities on the block this year included Brian Deedrick, popular Artistic Director of Edmonton Opera, who added his personal tickets to opening night of Carmen to go along with lunch for 4 at Murrieta's Bar & Grill. Todd Babiak, Edmonton Journal Culture writer and award winning author, included signed copies of his best selling books to the dinner for 4 at the Upper Crust Café. Local City Councillor Linda Sloan will entertain 3 guests at an urban picnic courtesy The Butler Did It, while Edmonton Centre MP Laurie Hawn will host a lunch for 4 at Yiannis. Miss Grand Prix Edmonton, Alysha Csuti, was auctioned along with Sunday Brunch for 4 at the popular La Boheme. A special thank you goes to Jim Korchinski of Blue Sky Limousines who offered free limousine rides home for those guests who enjoyed the party a little more than the rest. Over 200 people attended this year's event and raised close to $35,000 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. Hats off to the guests that attended, the celebrities who bravely stepped up on the auction block, the restaurants, sponsors, silent auction item donors, volunteers, and Meals on Wheels staff.