AIDS Project Rhode Island Seeking Restaurants for Dining Out for Life

Snow may still be on the ground, but AIDS Project Rhode Island is already thinking spring: namely, Thursday, April 30th when it’s the 11th annual Dining Out for Life®.

That’s when many restaurants across the Rhode Island area will be donating a portion of their day’s receipts to fight HIV and AIDS.

“We have been fortunate to have restaurants in all corners of the state and nearby Massachusetts join us the last Thursday of April in raising money for AIDS Project Rhode Island,” said AIDS Project Rhode Island development director Julie Casimiro.  “We work to fill their restaurants, even introducing their establishment to new customers, so they have a great business day and end up sending a sizeable check to AIDS Project Rhode Island.”

Restaurants donate 25 to 50% from each dinner check—or checks from all meals on that day—or donate a flat amount.  In 2014, 30 restaurants participated.  “We encourage our supporters, donors and friends to patronize our partner restaurants not just on the day of the event but all year long,” she said.  “We remember our friends!”

Interested restaurants should contact her at 401-519-2289 or Julie@aidsprojectri.org

For more than 30 years, AIDS Project Rhode Island has provided HIV/AIDS prevention and education services, as well as assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS.   AIDS Project RI is a division of Family Service of Rhode Island.  More information is available at www.aidsprojectri.org.

Thursday, Dine Out! Fight AIDS!

Dining Out for Life benefiting AIDS Project RI is Thursday.  For the list of participating restaurants, please click here

Check out this video, courtesy of NBC 10 for more information.

News, Weather and Classifieds for Southern New England

AIDS Project RI Seeks Restaurants, Social Media Volunteers for Dining Out for Life

It's become a Rhode Island spring tradition: Dining Out for Life benefiting AIDS Project RI.

"It's a great and caring way to celebrate the spring season," said Thomas Bertrand, MPH, AIDS Project RI's executive director.  "Step out on a Thursday night for dinner with friends and family, help people living with HIV and AIDS, and help Rhode Island achieve zero transmission of HIV."  A portion of patrons' bills is donated to AIDS Project RI by participating restaurants.

In 2014, Dining Out for Life is Thursday, April 24.  Tom and his team are currently recruiting restaurants to sign on to take part.

As of early February, nearly 20 restaurants were already slated to participate.  In Providence: Blaze Eastside, CAV, Gracie's, Hemenway's, India, Kitchen Bar, Los Andes, New Rivers, Parkside, Pizzico, 3 Sisters, The Red Fez, RiRa Irish Pub and Restaurant, and Rue De L'Espoir.  In Pawtucket, Hose Company #6 and Rasoi.  In Woonsocket, the Burrito Company.  "We're hoping to get at least 30 restaurants from cities and towns across the state to participate," he said.

For the first time ever he's looking for volunteers to help promote the event through social media. "Our job is to fill the tables at participating restaurants on April 24th.  We want to have a team to help us raise awareness via social media of the list of restaurants participating," he said.  "We want each of our restaurants to have every seat filled on that day."

Restaurants or social media volunteers should contact Amy Stein, the event's director, at 401-559-7896 or amy@aidsprojectri.org.

For more than 30 years, AIDS Project RI has provided HIV/AIDS prevention and education services, as well as assistance for people living with HIV/AIDS.  AIDS Project RI is a division of Family Service of RI.

More information is available at www.aidsprojectri.org.

Dine Out Thursday! Fight AIDS!

Thursday is Dining Out for Life for AIDS Project RI, a division of Family Service of RI. 

Here is the list of participating restaurants donating a portion of the day's proceeds.  Pick a restaurant, bring your friends and help in the fight against HIV/AIDS!

Below is an interview with AIDS Project RI executive director Tom Bertrand on Channel 10 about the event. News, Weather and Classifieds for Southern New England

NBC 10's Mario Hilario Chairs HIV/AIDS Fundraiser

Longtime NBC 10 news anchor and reporter Mario Hilario is chairing this year’s Dining Out for Life ® event benefiting AIDS Project RI on Thursday, April 25 at participating restaurants across the state.

He’s been anchoring NBC 10 Weekend Sunrise since 1997, has won an Associated Press award, and is a five-time Emmy award nominee. He also volunteers his time at a number of nonprofit organizations.

“Mario is beloved in Rhode Island, and we are most fortunate to have his assistance this year as we work to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island and to raise funds to prevent its spread and to help people living with HIV/AIDS,” said event coordinator Amy Stein.

AIDS Project RI executive director Thomas Bertrand, MPH, pointed out that, according to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately one of five people living with HIV in the United States do not even know they are infected. “Funds raised via Dining Out for Life help AIDS Project RI conduct community-based HIV testing to help people know their status,” he said.

“I am honored to chair this important event that brings about awareness of HIV/AIDS as well as raises funds for HIV testing, education and prevention efforts, and to care for people infected with HIV,” said Mr. Hilario.

Many restaurants have signed up  to donate a portion of their Thursday April 25 sales to AIDS Project RI. “We continue to sign up restaurants, so that number will likely change every day as we approach the event,” said Ms. Stein. An ever-changing list of participating restaurants may be found here.

“We ask everyone to take a look at the list and make a point to dine out at one or more of the participating restaurants on that day,” she said. “These establishments are supporting the fight against AIDS, so we’re asking the community to support them.”

AIDS Project RI is a division of Family Service of RI.

Do You Like to Eat?

If you like to eat, then our AIDS Project RI division could use your help! 

They are recruiting restaurants and they are recruiting patrons of those restaurants for a special day coming up in April.

Interested?  Click here for more information.

Remember: Dine out and fight AIDS!