MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin student-athletes attended the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Celebrity Gala as 'celebrity servers' to help raise money for the UCP Foundation. The UCP Celebrity Gala is a Madison favorite and the biggest fundraising event for the foundation each year. Wisconsin student-athletes eagerly arrived at the Edgewater Hotel on Friday, March 3, to take part in this year's 30th annual celebration.
Student-athletes from football, volleyball, women's soccer and women's golf served beverages, sold raffle tickets and played trivia with the guests, all to raise tips that benefited the UCP Foundation.
Wisconsin student-athletes — volleyball players Madison Duello, Amber Macdonald, Lauryn Gillis and Mary Dodge, women's golfer Aya Johnson, women's soccer player Kylie Schwartz, and football players Chikwe Obasih, D'Cota Dixon, Michael Maskalunas — enjoy dinner while getting ready to kick off the United Cerebral Palsy of Dane County's 30th Celebrity Gala fundraiser.
While the majority of student-athletes made their first appearance at this year's UCP Celebrity Gala, football defensive end Chikwe Obasih returned after enjoying the experience last year.
"This was my second year volunteering as a celebrity server at the UCP Gala," said Obasih. "I'm fortunate to have another opportunity to help out and raise money for the UCP Foundation, and to see a few familiar faces."
"I had a lot of fun. I'm continually humbled by the fact that there are people so gracious and giving, and willing to support their community."
Women's soccer defender Kylie Schwarz added, "It's just amazing to see how generous people can be with their time and money. The UCP Foundation helps so many people in need and it was fun to connect with Badger alumni that are so passionate about upholding its values."
After dinner, student-athletes took the stage to showcase a few of their hidden talents and cheering echoed throughout the ball room. Volleyball student-athletes called guests to the front and taught them how to line-dance, while football student-athletes sang The Temptations classic hit, "My Girl."
Football inside linebacker Mike Maskalunas, safety D'Cota Dixon and defensive end Chikwe Obasih sing "My Girl" at the UCP Celebrity Gala.
"I loved mingling, dancing and playing trivia with the guests to raise money at the UCP Gala," said women's golfer Aya Johnson.
When asked about their favorite moment from the evening, volleyball libero M.E. Dodge and football inside linebacker Mike Maskalunas both agreed that the cake eating competition was the highlight.
"While there were so many great moments from the night, the best was when I won the cake eating contest," Dodge said. "I knew that everything we were doing was going toward such a great cause, which made the win even more special."
Maskalunas added, "Everyone really got into it! I ate the cake as fast as I could and could just hear the crowd cheering us on. Overall, it was a really fun and I'm glad I got to be a part of it."
Football safety D'Cota Dixon shared that he enjoyed spending time with the guests and listening to the different stories about how everyone first got involved with the UCP Foundation.
The UCP Celebrity Gala is a signature fundraiser event that is critical for providing continued service to more than 1,600 children and adults with disabilities throughout southern Wisconsin each year. The UCP Foundation also creates opportunities beyond cerebral palsy, including support for individuals with autism, epilepsy, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injury and delays in speech, mobility and development.
For more information on the UCP Celebrity Gala, visit the UCP website at: http://www.ucpdane.org/
Main Photo: Wisconsin student-athletes — Mary Dodge (volleyball), Michael Maskalunas (football), Amber Macdonald (volleyball), and D'Cota Dixon (football) — participated in a dessert-eating contest to raise money for UCP.
