THOMASVILLE — The goal of a March Red Cross event is to give back to local restaurants that have supported the organization in the past.

In recent years, the South Central Georgia Chapter of the American Red Cross, which includes Thomas County, has sponsored Dining for Disaster. The event is a Red Cross fundraiser in which participating local restaurants give a percentage of their sales for one day to the Red Cross.

The idea, which originated in Thomasville, caught the attention at state and national Red Cross levels, said Mark Harmon, a local Red Cross board member.

This year, the Red Cross chapter wants to help restaurants. Some local restaurants have closed and/or suffered because of COVID, Harmon said.

“I want to try to promote people going out to dinner,” Harmon said. “Support our local restaurants. They need you.”

In 2020, 30 restaurants would have participated in the fundraiser, which was cancelled because of COVID.

This year’s Dining for Disaster is Thursday, March 25.

The fundraiser is a possibility in Lowndes County this year. “Some jurisdictions around the state are also going to try it,” Harmon said.

Some restaurants that do not participate might want to make donations, Harmon said.

Restaurants waiting to participate in the March event or anyone who wants to make a donation should contact Harmon at (229) 378-5710 or (229) 300-6094.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to all who have participated in the past,” Harmon said. “The goal is to support restauranteurs who have endured the pandemic. You can, in a safe way, go out.”

 

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820