Seven restaurants in Schuylkill County will host a special dining event April 8 to raise funds for the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The nonprofit Schuylkill Wellness Services, Pottsville, a program unit of Co-County Wellness Services which serves Berks and Schuylkill counties, will host its 17th annual Dine-Out for HIV/AIDS event. Participating restaurants will donate 20 percent of their evening food receipts, according to Marian Donlin, an administrative assistant for Schuylkill Wellness Services.
"Our goal this year is to reach $10,012.36. That's usually our goal and we're very grateful for whatever we receive," Donlin said Thursday at her office at 512-514 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
Last year, six restaurants participated and a total of $10,012.36 was raised. Subtracting $735 in advertising costs, Donlin said the organization's take was $9,277.36.
This year, seven restaurants will be participating. They include: Francesco's, Shenandoah; Vito's Coal Fired Pizza and Restaurant, Saint Clair; The Brick House, Orwigsburg; The Greystone, Pottsville; Roman Delight, Orwigsburg; Oak Hill Inn, Orwigsburg; and La Dolce Casa, Tamaqua, according to Donlin.
Every year, Schuylkill Wellness Services hosts a raffle in conjunction with the Dine-Out event. The grand prize is $1,000 cash. The second prize is a $250 gift card from Lowe's. The third prize is a three-day, two-night mid-week stay for two at Cove Haven Resorts in the Poconos. The fourth prize is a round of golf and lunch for two at Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville.
Tickets are $3 each or four for $10. The drawing will be held April 22. Tickets are available by calling 570-622-3980, Donlin said.
Founded in 1997, Schuylkill Wellness Services offers prevention education and HIV and STD testing to an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 people per year, according to Michelle Rossi, prevention education specialist.
It has four employees: one full-time worker, Rossi, and three part-time workers, Donlin, Christine Morrison, nurse educator, and Henry Pruski, case manager.