The CARE to Dine 2009 is a collaborative fundraising event between several Long Beach area restaurants and the Comprehensive AIDS Resource & Education (C.A.R.E.) Program at St. Mary Medical Center.  On Thursday, August 27th participating restaurants will donate 20% of their day’s proceeds to support the services provided by the C.A.R.E. Program.

Since the C.A.R.E. Program’s establishment in 1986, the largest non-profit HIV care provider in the greater Long Beach area, it has served over 1,400 men, women and children infected/affected by HIV disease.  C.A.R.E. is dependent upon individual and community financial support to offset the cost of unfunded care, treatment and services available to all HIV infected/affected individuals in Los Angeles County.  Approximately 50% of C.A.R.E. clients live below the federal poverty level, and about 35% cannot afford, or do not qualify for, public or private health insurance coverage.

“C.A.R.E. to Dine” has grown since our first fundraiser in 2008, and brings local community businesses and the C.A.R.E. Program together for a good cause”, said Dr. Mark Davis, C.A.R.E. Program Director.  During the upcoming fiscal year, C.A.R.E. will suffer a half a million dollar deficit due to proposed federal, state, county and city funding cuts.  “This is tragic and detrimental to the prevention and treatment efforts of the C.A.R.E. Program” stated, Becky Yourex, RN, a veteran nurse at St. Mary’s C.A.R.E. Program who has seen the progression of HIV disease throughout the years, and has worked with thousands of HIV patients over last 20 years.

The C.A.R.E. Program has contracted with over 30 restaurants throughout the Greater Long Beach area, to raise awareness and financial support to address the devastating effects of HIV.  “C.A.R.E. to Dine” highlights collaborative efforts between local businesses and St. Mary Medical Center to impact the quality of life and wellbeing of our community.

The C.A.R.E. Program encourages the public to dine out on Thursday, August 27th in support of local restaurants and the “C.A.R.E. to Dine” fundraiser.  Plan breakfast, lunch, or dinner with co-workers, friends and/or family members and support a worthy cause at the same time. Holding scheduled meetings and parties on the day of the event at participating restaurants is another option which will greatly enhance proceeds to be donated to the C.A.R.E. Program. If you cannot dine in on August 27th, please consider ordering take-out as the percentage donated will still apply.

For a list of participating restaurants please click here.