Nearly a dozen local "celebrities" have new respect for the food-service industry after they donned aprons Friday for an annual fundraiser

"This was my second year doing this," said Dawsonville Councilman Calvin Byrd. "I should have been way better this year. That's some hard work."

Family Connection's Celebrity Waiter Breakfast, which is in its third year, raised more than $3,300 for community efforts.

The funding will help address challenges facing children and families in the community.

Byrd, who also serves on the Family Connection board, said he was honored to participate "for a cause that means so much to so many."

More than 200 diners attended the breakfast. The"celebrity" wait staff also included Commissioners Jimmy Hamby, Julie Hughes Nix and Gary Pichon, state Sen. Steve Gooch and Charlie Auvermann, director of the county's development authority.

With a buffet-style breakfast of biscuits, eggs, bacon and sausage, the waiters juggled the tasks of taking and delivering drink orders, clearing plates and resetting the tables.

Gooch called the breakfast "the most fun" he's had at a fundraiser.

"New fundraising ideas generate dollars for their cause and that's good for the community," he said. "I had a great time."

Huck Finn, Tom Sawyer and a red hat gnome also made guest appearances.

Part of a statewide initiative of community collaboratives, Dawson County Family Connection aids local nonprofits such as the church alliance, prevent child abuse and youth mentoring, among others.

Recently, the group formed a program to assist teen mothers. It meets for the first time next week.

"They help so many other organizations in this community," Byrd said.