Save the date: Dining Out for Life is Thursday, May 1

WHAT: Dining Out for Life, a fundraiser benefiting the clients of Desert AIDS Project

WHERE: Participating restaurants throughout the desert cities

WHEN: Breakfast, lunch, or dinner on Thursday, May 1, 2008

Bank of America returns for its third year as presenting sponsor of Dining Out for Life – that day of the year when making a donation to Desert AIDS Project is as effortless as having a meal at variety of restaurants in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert.

“Our friends at Bank of America have been by our sides with Dining Out for Life since we first did it as a fundraiser in 2006. They seem to be our good luck charm because each year, we’ve secured more participating restaurants and raised more money,” said David Brinkman, Executive Director of Desert AIDS Project. “Last year, we had 18 restaurants participating and this year we’ve already signed up 27. We’re hoping that everyone will choose to eat a meal at one of these restaurants on May 1 so that we can beat last year’s fundraising total of more than $92,500.”

Many Bank of America employees have already joined the effort as Ambassadors, to help raise even more money for client services at Desert AIDS Project. Ambassadors “adopt” a restaurant of their choice, invite friends and colleagues to join them for a particular meal, enter a raffle, and consider making a donation to Desert AIDS Project. Anyone interested in being an Ambassador can visit www.diningoutforlife.com/palmsprings/volunteer.

The website will also tell them which restaurants are participating, the percent they are donating to D.A.P., and which meals will be eligible for that donation on May 1. As of press time, participating restaurants include: Amici Italian Restaurant, Azul, Backstreet Bistro, Billie D's, Blame it on Midnight, Casey’s, Café Italia, Chez Philippe, Citron at the Viceroy, Copley’s on Palm Canyon, The Dancing Greek, Eatz Hotel Zozo, Ichiban, Jake's Ready to Eat, Native Foods Palm Desert, Native Foods Palm Springs, Pinnochio's Café, Piero's Acqua Pazza, Purple Palm, Red Tomato & House of Lamb, Restaurante Guillermos, Riccio's Steak and Seafood, Ruby's Rancho Mirage, Spencer’s at the Mountain, Uptown Grill, Wang’s in the Desert, and Zin.

Desert AIDS Project is the organization in our community where people living with HIV and AIDS can receive comprehensive support, including medical care, case management, and social services. D.A.P. also offers confidential HIV testing at a number of locations and widespread education and prevention services for schools, civic organizations, businesses, churches, and health organizations throughout the communities it serves. For more information, call 760-323-2118.