Delegate Mathieson (VA-21st) Ambassador for a Night

By: dsvabeachdems
Published On: 4/24/2008 8:52:57 PM

Bobby Mathieson
Taking personal time amidst his duties in Richmond, freshman Delegate Bobby Mathieson (VA-21st) did his part to raise community AIDS awareness tonight as he encouraged constituents to join him at Steinhilber's, one of the Dining Out For Life-« (DOFL) venues in Virginia Beach. Here he stops by to chat with Jack and Cathy Carter at their table. DOFL Ambassadors are assigned one Dining Out For Life restaurant and it is their one and only job to fill that restaurant. Ambassadors greet diners and explain what Dining Out For Life is all about, encouraging guests to make an additional donation and participate in the raffle.

Dining Out For Life-« was created in 1991 by an ActionAIDS volunteer in Philadelphia. Since Dining Out for Life founding, the event has grown throughout North America and is now produced in over 46 cities. More than 2,800 restaurants a year donate a portion of their proceeds from this one special night of dining. Over $3 million dollars a year is raised to support the missions of agencies throughout North America. With the exception of a nominal annual licensing fee, all money raised in these cities stays there.

For their part, diners make sure they eat at a participating restaurant. Diners are encouraged to skip breakfast and lunch so that they may make their dinner meal matter the most. Diners are encouraged to have a great time and tell everyone how much they love the event and that they wish every night was a Dining Out For Life night. That was a pleasure at Steinhilber's, quite possibly the finest restaurant in Hampton Roads despite Rush Limbaugh's opinion that another fine Norfolk restaurant that is a participant in this event is unique.

In Hampton Roads, last year's event raised over $65,000 locally and nearly 70 restaurants participated! This year 74 restaurants are on board in the region. Proceeds support the impressive efforts of the AIDS Care Center for Education & Support Services to provide case management, housing services, transportation, outreach, meals programs, education, support services, and children/youth services. Visit the website and download and read the December 2007 eNewsletter from the link at the lower left of the homepage to find ways to get involved and support this worthy organization.

I looked high and low for a local Republican officeholder acting as an Ambassador and was unable to locate one. I did, however, neglect to look in any closets.

Cross posted at VBDems.org - Blogging our way to Democratic wins in Virginia Beach! Go RK!


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