April 24 marks the twenty-fourth annual Dining Out For Life event. Dining Out For Life (DOFL) was started twenty-four years ago by an ActionAIDS volunteer. ActionAIDS is a nonprofit organization located in Philadelphia that provides HIV testing and treatment, education, and support for individuals living with HIV and AIDS.
Currently, about sixty cities throughout the country and Canada participate in this event. Select restaurants donate one third of their total sales of the day to the licensed HIV/AIDS service agencies and organizations in their cities. This year marks another year of Chester County’s participation in the event. The following restaurants in Chester County are participating in this event: Avalon, Cedar Hollow Inn Restaurant and Bar, High Street Caffe/Vudu Lounge, Market Street Grille, Side Bar & Restaurant, Stella Rossa, and Three Little Pigs. In addition to these restaurants, Doc Magrogan’s Oyster House is participating in 20 percent off Tuesdays.
The donations from these restaurants, and others from the Delaware Valley, will go towards local organizations, such as: ActionAIDS, Camden Area Health Education Center, Family and Community Service of Delaware County, and Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Every year, more than 3 million dollars is raised from the Dining out for life to support HIV/AIDS non-profit service organizations. In 2013, 53 restaurants collectively participated in Dining Out For Life, and raised over 4.2 million dollars to support your city’s local service organizations that are dedicated to the prevention, education, screening, and testing of HIV and AIDS. To support this cause, all you need to do is to have an appetite! All are encouraged to dine out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner to support the event. If you are interested in volunteering at the event, contact Margy McCook at Margy.McCook@ppsp.org Also, for more information about Dining Out For Life, and a list of participating restaurants, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/.
Stephanie Frasca is a third-year student majoring in communicative disorders. She can be reached at SF767711@wcupa.edu.