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Dining Out for Life: Best year yet for D.A.P.
Record-breaking $190,000 and counting raised so far
PALM SPRINGS, CA, June 3, 2016 - "Dine Out - Fight AIDS" is the long-standing motto used by Dining Out For Life as the fundraiser is promoted in selected cities throughout the U.S. and Canada on the last Thursday in April. Desert locals took that message to heart in a big way, by patronizing participating businesses - for breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, a snack, a smoothie, or a cocktail - in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, and Indio.
First-time Dining Out For Life participants this year included Bongo Johnny's Patio & Grill, Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant, Chicken Ranch, Eight4Nine, Ernest Coffee, Fruit Wonders, Johannes Restaurant, Oscar's Café & Bar, Reservoir at Arrive Hotel, Rosati's Pizza, and Smoke Tree BBQ - Palm Desert, along with the five restaurants of the Kaiser Group - Chop House Palm Springs, Grind Burger Bar Palm Springs, Jackalope Ranch, Kaiser Grille Palm Desert, and Kaiser Grille Palm Desert.
Once again, perennial top performers turning in totals that were within scant dollars of each other - as each restaurant combined their promised share of the day's sales with extra donations that customers slipped into envelopes for D.A.P. - were Lulu California Bistro, Trio Restaurant, and Spencer's at the Mountain. While some businesses are still submitting their contributions, these three restaurants raised and donated a combined total of $55,000 for D.A.P.
First-time participant Townie Bagels contributed a beyond-generous 110% of their day's sales, while Ristretto for Coffee Lovers and Pho 533 once again donated 100%. In total, those three businesses raised and contributed a combined $10,000. "That's a lot of bagels, cups of coffee, and noodles ... not to mention a lot of love for D.A.P.," said Darrell L. Tucci, Chief Development Officer for Desert AIDS Project.
Stonewall Gardens hosted an Ambassador Pre-Event Party, so that new volunteers could learn from those who have already been serving as ambassadors in years past. D.A.P.'s training also seemed to help because ambassadors used Facebook and other social media venues more than ever to promote the participating business they were assigned to. And at Oscar's, the ambassadors took a promotional suggestion to heart by creating a Mardi Gras theme - because who doesn't like a party? - to attract customers.
Obviously, the 61 restaurants also did their part by displaying the Dining Out For Life window clings and using menu inserts to explain what the fundraiser is all about. Many ambassadors - easily recognized in their distinctive, red Dining Out For Life aprons - reported that diners were calling them over to make envelope donations even before they'd ordered their meal.
Joining Subaru as Proud Host Sponsor and Bank of America as Presenting Sponsor were these 2016 sponsors: Sysco Riverside, Signs by Tomorrow, The Desert Sun, Compete Magazine, CV Independent, Gay Desert Guide, LIVE Magazine, and The Standard Magazine.
"We had more of everything this year - more participating restaurants, more sponsors, more of our incredible volunteers who are so devoted to us, and more customers who showed the love for our mission," Tucci continued. "I know lots of people who ate every meal on Thursday, April 28th at a participating restaurant because they wanted to support our work as much as possible."
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ABOUT DESERT AIDS PROJECT
Desert AIDS Project (D.A.P.) serves our community with primary and HIV-specialty services, including medical care, case management, and social services, like food, housing, and counseling. D.A.P. is committed to free and confidential HIV testing at dozens of community test sites and events through its Get Tested Coachella Valley campaign. They also offer The DOCK, a sexual health clinic, whose services include STD testing and treatment; PEP and PrEP education and treatment; free and confidential HIV testing; and well woman exams. With new advances in treatment, improved access to care through health reform and new prevention technology, D.A.P. is committed to helping bring the HIV epidemic to an end. To learn more about Desert AIDS Project, please call 760-323-2118, visit www.desertaidsproject.org or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
Contact:
Barry Dayton
Director of Marketing & Communications
760-323-2118 ext 434
760-992-0434 – direct
bdayton@desertaidsproject.org
www.desertaidsproject.org
Source: https://www.desertaidsproject.org/dining-out-for-life-best-year-yet-for-desert-aids-project/
"Reproduced with permission - Desert AIDS Project "
Desert AIDS Project
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