Dine out Thursday at participating restaurants and help a neighbor in need.

Three local eateries plan to donate as much as 15 percent of their sales Thursday to United Way for Dawson County, which supports 13 health and human service agencies locally.

Restaurants participating in Dine the United Way are Fajita Grill in downtown Dawsonville, The Blue Bicycle on Lumpkin Campground Road and McDonalds at the intersection of Ga. 400 and Hwy. 53.

Fajita Grill and The Blue Bicycle will donate proceeds from lunch and dinner. McDonalds is calling their event, which lasts from 5-7 p.m., McUnited Way Night.

“We’re not seeing as much corporate giving and this is an excellent way for companies to participate,” said Jay Sessions, United Way for Dawson County chairman.

The organization has about two more weeks to reach its 2010 fundraising goal of $100,000. Like other area non-profit organizations, volunteers say they are coming up short of that goal.

“We all know in this difficult economic climate that people are not able to give as much as they have been in the past,” said board member Taylor Wallace.

“This is an excellent opportunity to take out your family and friends, and at the same time you’re having a good time, you’ll be supporting an excellent cause in United Way for Dawson County.”

For more information, visit www.unitedwayforsyth.com/dawson_county.php.