The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce and its merchants will join forces to battle against AIDS on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14, by presenting their seventh annual Red Ribbon Days, benefiting Open Hand Chicago and Howard Brown Health Center.
Participating businesses will hang red ribbons on their doors, indicating that a portion of their weekend’s sales, or a flat donation, will be donated to Open Hand and Howard Brown. By patronizing Andersonville businesses that weekend, shoppers will be contributing to AIDS research, prevention, education, and support services. With over 40 businesses taking part—including most of Andersonville’s unique gift stores, renowned international restaurants, and quality service providers—shoppers will have plenty of businesses to choose from.
Patrons of Red Ribbon Days will find much to enjoy in the neighborhood. Andersonville is a quaint, friendly community with Swedish roots. The main commercial district, centered along 5100-5900 N. Clark St., sports a great diversity of choices. Shoppers can find handcrafted gifts, quality antiques, unique books and videos, and more. Diners can enjoy traditional Swedish fare, sample one of the many Middle-Eastern restaurants, or try some of the city’s best offerings in Italian, Japanese, Mexican, American or many other kinds of cuisine.
Andersonville merchants have a long history of giving back to the community. Since 1994, their annual Red Ribbon Days event has raised money for AIDS Walk Chicago, with over $7,000 raised in 2000. The second annual Pink Ribbon Days, in May, 2001, raised nearly $8,000 for the Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the Lesbian Community Cancer Project.
Open Hand Chicago provides meal delivery and food bank services for those living with AIDS. It has several offices in Chicago and Evanston. Howard Brown Health Center conducts research and provides medical, counseling, and testing services to Chicago’s gay and lesbian community.
Andersonville Red Ribbon Days is a program of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, which contributes to the growth and profitability of the local businesses, churches, and non-profit agencies that operate in the Andersonville community by promoting and supporting their efforts.
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