Shot of Chocolate Fundraiser at Caputo’s Nov. 2
Chocolate fans can enjoy their favorite treat Friday night while raising money to help the world’s children. A Shot of Chocolate party will take place at Caputo’s Deli, 314 W. 300 South in Salt Lake City on November 2 at 7:30 p.m.
The proceeds from the event will benefit Shot@ Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation that champions vaccines as the most cost-effective way to prevent childhood deaths in developing countries.
“Organizing and planning this fundraiser makes chocolate seem a little sweeter,” said Gina Baker, the Shot of Chocolate party’s organizer. “Through the appeal of chocolate, we can help spread the word about the power of vaccines to save lives.”
For a suggested donation of $20, guests will receive a custom shot glass and sample products from local chocolatiers, such as Amano Chocolate, Chocolot, Dessert Bites, Food of the Gods, Hatch Family Chocolates Millcreek Cacao, Butcher’s Bunches and the Chocolate Conspiracy. There will also be a prize drawing for numerous giveaways.
Organizer Gina Baker, who is both a nurse and chocolate lover, said that 1.5 million children in developing countries die from vaccine preventable diseases each year. Interestingly, some of those countries, such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, are in the world’s chocolate-growing belt, which extends between 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south of the equator.
“I’ve been to Ghana, and kids definitely can use vaccinations there,” she said.
Baker writes about chocolate on her blog, My Chocolate Peaces, at http://www.mychocolatepeaces.com. As she researched more about how fine chocolate is made, she became aware of social and ethical issues surrounding chocolate production. Cocoa farmers labor in deplorable conditions and are paid very little. Children are often forced into labor.
“A lot of people want to do good, but some organizations can really do something definitive to help save lives,” she said. “When I asked some of the chocolate makers here about being involved, they were amazing, they all said yes, no questions asked. They totally want to give back to those countries.”
Local businesses donated the venue, products, and prizes for the party so that 100 percent of the ticket fees can be donated to Shot@ Life.
She said the suggested donation is $20, because that would provide a vaccinations for a single child in need.
To purchase tickets, visit shotofchocolate.com.
To learn more about the Shot@Life Campaign, visit ShotAtLife.org.