PHILANTHROPIST SAM BAKER TO RECEIVE THE 2017 CELEBRITY WAITERS LUNCHEON COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

 

The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon (CWL) governing body will present Sam Baker, a Seattle philanthropist and partner at the law firm of Oles Morrison Rinker & Baker LLP, with the 2017 Community Service Award. This distinction will be bestowed at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel on May 12, 2017. The Community Service Award recognizes Baker’s long-standing commitment for getting deeply involved with organizations that make a difference in the lives of Seattle’s less fortunate. The award also recognizes Baker as an iconic leader who has worked with numerous non-profits to grow their reach in helping the community offer a hand up to our homelessness population.

“It is truly an honor to work next to Sam Baker and be the one who presents him with the 2017 Community Service Award, which recognizes his outstanding leadership as a trusted human being and business man,” said Gene Juarez, Celebrity Waiters Luncheon Board Member. “Sam Baker is someone we all inspire to be with his unwavering dedication and big heart.”

Baker earned an undergraduate degree in Construction Management from the University of Washington and a J.D. from the University of Montana.  He is a founding member of the University of Washington Construction Industry Advisory Council, past Chairman and current member of the Seattle Police Foundation Board of Directors, is presently President of the Board of Directors of Auction of Washington Wines, and currently serves on the Board of the Celebrity Waiters Luncheon.

“I am humbled to be receiving this Community Service Award and would like to offer my gratitude to the Celebrity Waiters Luncheon team,” stated Baker. “I contribute to numerous nonprofit organizations, which make a real difference in our community. I genuinely believe that participating actively in charitable causes is more fulfilling than the momentary gratification derived from just signing a check. Thank you for this recognition.”

In 2006, Baker was inducted as the first attorney in the University of Washington Construction Hall of Fame. Baker is the first attorney to hold the distinction of serving as a Director of the Beavers and Trustee of its Charitable Trust. Baker was awarded the coveted Golden Beaver Award for Service and Supply in 2012 and, in 2013, he was also selected for membership in the National Academy of Construction.

For more information about the award, contact Suzanne Hight at (206) 236-6167, or visit www.celebritywaiters.org.

About Sam Baker

Sam’s practice focuses primarily in representing construction contractors in evaluating and resolving construction disputes which often involve complex, multi-party cases (with offices in Seattle, Anchorage, and Oakland).  While he takes pride in national recognition with success in partnering, he has gained outstanding results before state and federal courts throughout the Western United States and Alaska.  Sam has also prosecuted claims before several boards of contract appeals and the United States Court of Federal Claims in construction cases involving the federal government.  Additionally, he participates extensively in arbitration proceedings.

About Celebrity Waiters Luncheon 

The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon was founded in 1984 by Gene Juarez with the help of Dick Friel, Michael Malone, David Wymann, Jr. (Phil Smart, Jr.), Brooks Whittle, and Ron Neubauer. Their objective was to create a unique and innovative lunchtime auction comprised with key business and community leaders. Guests are invited to sit at their table and are waited on by their Celebrity Waiter host. The waiter encourages their table guests to bid on auction items, donate through raise the paddle and “tip” their waiter throughout this fun-filled, themed event. This inventive formula has made Celebrity Waiters Luncheon one of the most successful daytime Seattle auctions for over 30 years. The Celebrity Waiters Luncheon Organization serves the Puget Sound area by annually raising funds for local charitable organizations in the areas of Education, Health, Human Services, and Children/Youth.