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Grand Rapids restaurants give back during Dining Out for Life fundraiser

shannoncunningham
Shannon Cunningham
4/23/12 09:19am
metro local life
Grand Rapids joins more than 55 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada in Dining Out For Life® event.
Underwriting support from:

About Dining Out For Life and The Grand Rapids Red Project

Throughout North America and Canada, more than 3,500 restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special night of dining to the licensed agency in their city. Nearly $4 million per year is raised to support the missions of agencies throughout North America. With the exception of a small annual licensing fee, all money raised in these cities stays there.

About The Grand Rapids Red Project: The Grand Rapids Red Project's mission is improving health, preventing HIV, and reducing risk.  The organization’s board is made up of volunteer community members who are passionate in the fight against HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.  It is a non-profit, community service organization supporting individuals and communities in the West Michigan area affected by these infectious diseases. For more information about The Grand Rapids Red Project, please visit http://redproject.org.

This Thursday, April 26, The Grand Rapids Red Project, an organization dedicated to creating awareness and educating individuals about HIV/AIDS and other life-altering diseases, will join more than 55 cities throughout the United States and Canada to raise money for local HIV/AIDS support organizations with its day long Dining Out For Life® event.

An international fundraising event, Dining Out For Life® involves the participation of volunteers, corporate sponsors and restaurants. In support of The Grand Rapids Red Project’s initiative to bring the Dining Out for Life® program back to Grand Rapids, 23 restaurants throughout greater Grand Rapids will donate a portion of each patron’s bill to its organization.

“We are extremely grateful to our participating restaurants and generous sponsors,” said Tami VandenBerg, board president for The Grand Rapids Red Project. “Preventing HIV and supporting our neighbors who are HIV positive benefits all of us, our entire community. We are fortunate to have such forward-thinking businesses in Grand Rapids.”

During this one night event, The Grand Rapids Red Project urges the public to make an effort to stop in at one of the participating restaurants to support the group’s services.

­“Grand Rapids is truly a warm, caring, compassionate city that rallies time and again around important causes,” said Experience Grand Rapids President Doug Small. “This year’s Dining Out for Life® event is no exception. The generosity of the participating restaurants, partners and patrons speaks volumes about our community’s continued efforts to build a thriving and vibrant city with a strong quality of life,” he continued. “We encourage you to show your support on April 26 by dining out and enjoying one of the most satisfying meals you’ll have all year.”

The establishments involved in the city-wide event are: Amore Trattoria Italiana, Bar Divani, Bartertown, Biggby Downtown, Bistro at Courtyard Marriott Grand Rapids, Blue Water Grill, Brewery Vivant, Brick Road Pizza, City Sēn at City Flats Hotel, Cygnus 27, Greenwell Gastro Pub, Harmony Brewing Company, HopCat, Mangiamo!, McFadden’s, Red Jet Café, Noto’s Old World Italian, The Score, six.one.six at the JW Marriott, Skywalk Deli, Stella’s, Twisted Rooster and Viceroy.

In addition, key sponsors have come forward to help champion The Grand Rapids Red Project’s efforts, including BSI Healthcare Services, CompuCraft, Cheeky Strut Salon, Fifth Third, FastSigns, Haworth Inc., Phase 2 Investment Advisers, Marketing Tools, 834 Design & Marketing  and The Pyramid Scheme. Individuals throughout the Grand Rapids community have also come together to volunteer and serve as onsite representatives of The Grand Rapids Red Project in each of the participating establishments.

Those wanting to learn more about Dining Out For Life® and how to get involved or donate can visit their website. Those wanting more information on The Grand Rapids Red Project can find it at www.redprojectgr.org. 

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