Tap Project, Boston's Top Restaurants

BOSTON-AREA RESTAURANTS ARE JOINING THE TAP PROJECT - A UNICEF EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER WORLDWIDE

Customers Asked to Donate $1 for Tap Water

BOSTON - February 14, 2008 - Restaurateurs in the metropolitan area of Boston are tapping into their good will by joining the Tap Project. Tap is a nationwide event that will start March 16, 2008, culminating in World Water Day March 22, 2008. During that week, participating restaurants will ask customers to give $1 for the glass of water that they usually drink for free. The money will go toward UNICEF's effort to provide clean drinking water to countries that lack clean drinking water - countries like Laos, Angola and Iraq.

Boston is one of 12 cities taking part in the Tap Project. Other cities include New York (where the program originated), Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Portland, Richmond, San Francisco, Seattle, San Diego, Greenville, Columbia, SC, and Charleston.

In the Boston area, Masa, STIX, Stella, Rocca Kitchen & Bar, Grill 23, and Joe & Maria's were among the first to sign up. Close to 50 restaurants are now on the roster, with more on the way. (For a full list of participating restaurants in Boston got to www.tapproject.org).

"A safe glass of water is something we take for granted. How often do servers and wait staff clean up glasses still full with water? This will be a chance for all of us to remember how lucky we are while truly making an impact on a global travesty," says Michela Larson of Boston's Rocca Kitchen & Bar.

Caryl Stern, president and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, says, "The lack of clean and accessible drinking water is one of the reasons why millions of children are dying of preventable causes. Expanding Tap beyond New York City is just the beginning of a large scale child survival movement that will rely heavily on volunteers."

Last year, the first year of the Tap Project, New York City restaurants were able to raise $100,000 in one day for UNICEF's clean water efforts. The call is now out for restaurant owners in the Boston area to join the Tap Project. Registration is simple. Please visit www.tapproject.org to view details and register.

About UNICEF

For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leading international children's organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org www.unicefusa.org.

About World Water Day
In December of 1992, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22nd of each year World Day for Water. Countries were invited to devote the day to concrete activities such as the promotion of public awareness, conferences, round tables, seminars and expositions related to the conservation and development of water resources.





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Restaurants Signed up as of 2/14/200 (others joining daily)

Excelsior
Fajitas & 'Ritas
Ivy Restaurant
KO Prime
Lala Rokh on Beacon Hill
Les Zygomates
MOOO...
Masa Restaurant
Pigalle
Red Sky Restaurant & Lounge Rustic Kitchen
The Langham, Boston
Todd English's Olives Boston
Tresca
VINOTECA di MONICA
33 Restaurant & Lounge
Beehiv