by Laura Lucas and Floramae McCarron - Co-chairs Chestnut Hill Community Fund Drive

Trying to fight the urge to hibernate this month? Join us Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, and have a post-holiday celebration with your neighbors and friends at this year’s Big Night Out. Participating businesses include Campbell’s Place, El Poquito, Iron Hill, McNally's and Artisans on the Avenue. Proceeds raised will benefit the Chestnut Hill Community Fund (CHCF).

The restaurants will donate 20 percent of food sales to the CHCF while Artisans on the Avenue will donate 15 percent of its sales for the night. Please note that Iron Hill requires a participation coupon, which you can download from chestnuthill.org or show on your smartphone. At the other restaurants, you simply need to tell your server you are there for the Big Night Out benefit.

The programs supported by the Chestnut Hill Community Annual Fund Drive enhance the physical beauty, safety, and quality of life in our area. We invite you to attend Big Night Out or to contribute what you can to show how much you appreciate Chestnut Hill and the great organizations that the CHCF supports! All contributions to the Fund are tax-deductible.

Our recently-formed young professionals group – Chestnut Hill Community Association (CHCA) Sips – will be gathering at Iron Hill for the Big Night Out. See the CHCA Sips Facebook page to sign-up. Additionally, the Holiday House Tour 2015 Planning Committee will also be meeting for a happy hour from 5:45 to 7:15 p.m. at Iron Hill to discuss potential homes, designers and plans for the next tour. If you loved the last tour and were thinking about how to get involved, now’s the perfect time to learn more while sharing a drink. Also stop by Campbell’s back table and meet CHCA president Will Detweiler and Chestnut Hill Community Fund Drive Honorary Co-chairs Gail and John Detweiler.

As for us, we’ll be making it a progressive dinner to visit all participating restaurants while stopping to shop at Artisans. We hope to see you on the Avenue!