Dining Out for Life, presented by Tanqueray is planned for Thursday, June 5. This will be the
tenth year for the event in Chicago, which spotlights area restaurants in a unified cause to
benefit local AIDS service organizations.
Jim Flosi, President & Founder of AIDSCARE, explains, ‘Dining Out for Life is all about raising
money for our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends and relatives who are living with
HIV/AIDS.
‘That is the sole purpose. I wish to God that we didn’t have to do this. I wish that this
horrendous disease no longer existed, but it does, and we have to continue helping those
affected take care of themselves.’
‘Get out and eat,’ says Jeremy Hilborn, Manager of Special Events for Chicago House. Dining
Out for Life invites all of Chicago to get involved by going to one of the participating restaurants
where part of every bill goes back to AIDS services. ‘This one event should bring in about
$100,000 to our agencies,’ Jeremy said. ‘It is one of the largest dining experiences in Chicago,
imagine 28,000 people all over the city getting together to raise awareness and money! Right
now we have 100 of the best restaurants across Chicago supporting this cause. We have
restaurants like the Signature Room at the 95, Bistro Margot, and Ann Sather’s, something for
every taste and budget.’
Dining Out for Life is an international event run in over 26 cities across the United States and
Canada. All proceeds, in every city, go directly toward HIV/AIDS services. Each benefiting
agency provides Staff, Board and volunteers to manage and run the event keeping costs to a
minimum. This year’s benefiting agencies include AIDSCARE and Chicago House. Both
agencies provide critical housing and support services throughout Chicago for individuals and
families living with HIV/AIDS. Programs include supportive and scattered site housing, case
management, food services and independence programs. Both agencies are actively
expanding their services to meet the growing need in the city.
‘To make this event truly successful we count on volunteers and hosts to be in every
restaurant,’ say Geoffrey Aldridge, Coordinator of Special Events for AIDSCARE. ‘We want
every diner to feel like they are part of our event, our hosts greet everyone, run great raffles
and make sure everyone knows that HIV/AIDS isn’t over yet!’
For more information about the event or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact
Geoffrey Aldridge at (773) 935-4663 or Jeremy Hilborn at (773) 248-5200 or visit Web site.