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Raising Social Consciouness -- and Serving Thanksgiving Dinner -- In Pelham

PELHAM, N.Y. – Infusion, the popular Pelham tapas lounge, is taking “service” to a whole new level. Not only will it be serving a free Thanksgiving meal to the elderly, children and disabled this Thursday, but it is continuing its mission to donate a portion of its profits to a variety of charities.

Infusion is hoping to better the community through food and charity.

Infusion is hoping to better the community through food and charity.

Photo Credit: Infusion

“This might not be (profitable),” said "Dr. D," the owner behind the eatery who likes to go by her nickname. "Trying to breathe life into something that’s not supposed to be could leave everyone out of breath. It’s simply about right action.”

So far, despite not making a profit (yet), the restaurant, through other monetary donations, has contributed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, American Cancer Society, Operation Prom, the Pelham Arts Center and Young Life.

The ultimate goal, according to Dr. D's team, is to regularly donate a percentage of food profits to worthwhile causes.

Dr. D is the first person to tell you she's not a business woman. In fact, she's the furthest thing from a business woman, her team noted. This ‘not only for profit’ business model was how she conceived of merging what she had done personally and professionally. 

It was a series of circumstances that led her to taking over the restaurant last year. She admits she has no restaurant experience, and is instead a veteran of the human services sector. (She has years experience in the clinical and psychological services field and works as a clinical and organizational consultant to Community Living Corporation in Mount Kisco.)

According to the Infusion team, “Social consciousness is a byproduct of Dee’s studies and work. She is a human service practitioner who understands the importance of attempting to effect benign change in some way. She’s incorporated the philosophy of social consciousness into the business model.”

Which leads to Thanksgiving and that turkey meal with all the fixings.

In an e-mail to her staff in advance of the free dinner, Dr. D instructed everyone that the event “must be viewed as the single most important event ever at Infusion,” and likened it to if President Obama came for dinner. She stressed that it was key to make sure that this it’s a special experience on a special occasion for those in attendance.

“These are the disabled, the elderly and children who do not have a home for Thanksgiving and should be made to feel as though they are invited to a lovely restaurant in a beautiful atmosphere with a delightful meal and fabulous staff.” 

Infusion is located at 600 5th Ave, (914) 235-3700; www.infusionny.com.

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