Buffalo Rising Online

Apr 24th, 11:24am By Michael Franco

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 marks the 6th annual Dining Out For Life celebration, a community-wide event to benefit AIDS Community Services WNY and AIDS Family Services. Both agencies are dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS in our region and providing direct services to those living with the disease. HIV/AIDS has touched all our lives in one form or another. Whether we have lost someone we love or know someone who is living with the daily effects of HIV, we are all effected.

In the case of Dining Out For Life, all you have to donate is your appetite!

Founded in 1991 in Philadelphia, Dining Out For Life now takes place in 45 cities throughout North America, raising an annual total of $3 million. 2008 marks the sixth year the project will be held in WNY. Starting in 2003 with 27 participating restaurants, the first year raised $22,000. Last year, 91 restaurants raised $80,000. All of the funds that are raised here in the WNY community remain here.

This year, for the first time, a restaurateur is heading the committee of volunteers for WNY's Dining Out For Life. The Co-chairs are Buffalo restaurateur Michael R. Militello and his wife Marilynn (see inset). Michael is the owner of Sonoma Grille and Bijou Grille, and Marilynn is a luxury travel consultant at The Travel Team, Inc. This year's sponsors include Subaru, Bank of America, The Buffalo News, WBFO and Air Tran.

The 2008 event boasts a record number of 104 participating restaurants. Spanning Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties, each venue will contribute at least 25% of their food sales that day, with some donating as much as 50%. For a of list this year's participating restaurants click here. Also available is information about which restaurants serve breakfast, lunch and dinner; and the percentage of the bill each restaurant is donating. Twenty-seven of the restaurants are new this year, thanks in part to the efforts of the Militellos.

Over 200 volunteers will act as “ambassadors” during the event, helping to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and presenting participants with red ribbons that symbolize the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Every diner is eligible to enter a free raffle for a chance to win fabulous prizes, including a grand prize of airline tickets good for travel anywhere in the continental U.S. on Air-Tran Airways, plus overnight stays at Seneca Niagara Casino and Seneca Allegany Casino, donated by Seneca Gaming Corporation. Just fill out the entry envelope given to you by your restaurant's ambassador.

Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors, let's show the rest of North America who we really are by gathering family and friends and making reservations at one of the many fantastic DOFL restaurants.

A few of the vital services that will receive funds from Dining Out For Life proceeds include: information for prevention education, free, confidential HIV testing, an AIDS information line for medical care, housing assistance and emergency response, nutritious meals offered at a drop-in lunch/food pantry or delivered to homes, counseling, support groups and pastoral care. No one is ever refused services because they cannot afford to pay, making this evening's proceeds so important to so many.

On behalf of the entire committee, a heartfelt thank you and Bon Appetit!

What better way to honor the memory of loved ones we have lost and to show those living with HIV, that we care and respect them.

Dining Out For Life
Tuesday April 29, 2008