If you’re looking to get a little skin in the game for this year’s Boston Marathon, head to Casa Verde on Thursday, April 4th for a Patio Kickoff Party to benefit Horizons for Homeless Children. The Jamaica Plain restaurant’s good friend, Ariel Karson, is running in the upcoming race to raise awareness about the nonprofit, which works to improve the lives of young homeless children in Massachusetts – all you have to do to support her and the cause is enjoy a couple of al fresco cocktails and tacos on the first night of patio season.

Head to 711 Centre Street between noon and 9:00pm in your best patio duds and get ready for a good time. The restaurant will be donating 25% of the proceeds to Karson’s fundraising goal, and then when the marathon rolls around on April 15th you can look for her in the crowd as she makes her way to the finish line. There are no tickets or reservations required, just come as you are and bring proper ID if you’re planning to partake in cocktails. If you can’t make it to the party but you want to support the cause, you can add funds to Ariel’s fundraising page here, and give the Casa posse a call at 617.477.9977 if you have any Qs.

Scope out an array of things to do and eat on Marathon Monday in Boston.