Downtown Raleigh restaurant Zinda announced today the start of a year-long "celebrity bartender series" that will raise money for 11 different nonprofit organizations. On the second Wednesday of every month, 10 percent of bar proceeds will be donated to that month's nonprofit partner.

The first Celebrity Bartender event is next Wednesday, Jan. 9, and will benefit the Hope for Haiti Foundation. Former Carolina Hurricanes player Bates Battaglia and Adalius Thomas of the New England Patriots are the celebrity bartenders.

The fundraisers are free, and everyone is welcome! Doors open at 5 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m. Guests will also be able to make donations directly to the nonprofit organizations.

The year-long series will benefit other charities such as the Jimmy V Foundation, the American Heart Association and the Pretty in Pink Foundation. 2013 will end with a black tie gala in December benefiting all 11 organizations.