There are two attractive fund-raising events set for the community over the next two days, and each of them promises to be top-notch social events bringing neighbors together for good causes.

Tonight, after a year’s hiatus ,the fabulous “Men Cook for Women” returns to the Codman Square Health Center on Washington Street, sponsored by the Codman Square Health Center. First held in 1995, the almost-annual event raised funds to help deal with what health center director Bill Walczak describes as “health disparities in issues such as breast cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS for more than 20,000 women in Dorchester.”

From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., hundreds will gather under a tent, moving among an eclectic selection of food stations staffed by chefs from more than 30 restaurants and caterers. The servers include a gaggle of guys, described as “local celebrities,” who don aprons and serve the delicacies to all comers.

Truth be told, none of these men actually prepare the food – and that’s the good news! The cooking is all done by the professional chefs, who typically offer up a sample of some of their tastiest menu items. The attendees pass among them, station to station, taking a serving or two from each.

The list of food establishments is impressive, including local spots like Ashmont Grill, Big Moe’s M & M Ribs, C.F. Donovan’s, Gerard’s Restaurant, Phillips Freeport Tavern, and Tavolo Ristorante. Others include Gourmet Caterers, Legal Sea Foods, Mistral, Creperie, and many more.

Much of the fun of the event can be found from meeting the “celebrity” servers, among them Congressman Michael Capuano, Boston Globe Editor Marty Baron, Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, New England Council president Jim Brett, former Governor (and probable interim U.S. Senator) Michael Dukakis and Channel 4 reporter Jonathan Elias.

The event takes place tonight – Thurs., Sept. 24 – and it’s possible to purchase a ticket at the event. The Reporter newspapers have always supported this great event, and I am honored to have been invited to participate as a server. So c’mon down to Codman Sq., and bring your appetite!