Did you know that smoke from open cooking fires kills more than eight times as many people as malaria?  Or that in some parts of the world, four million burns are reported annually, and smoke is a leading cause of death in children under the age of five?  Well, you can help change those shocking statistics by participating in a fundraiser presented by the San Diego Downtown Breakfast Rotary Club's International Service Committee on Thursday evening, February 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.  The proceeds will be used to purchase safe, affordable, fuel-efficient cookstoves -- called "Ecocinas" (see photo above) -- developed by StoveTeam International to replace dangerous open cooking fires.
 
Here's how you can help . . . .
 
 

     
 
 
The fundraising event will be held at 57 Degrees, San Diego's hottest craft beer and wine bar, located at 1735 Hancock Street (www.fiftysevendegrees.com).  Parking is located behind the venue.  Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, are $45 for Rotarians and guests, and $20 for Rotaract members.  Ticket price includes two beers or two glasses of wine.  Food is available for purchase.
 
We will have a demo Ecocina available for you to see.  For a $50 donation, you can provide a family in the developing world with one of these stoves and the ability to cook safely and efficiently.  StoveTeam International believes: "No woman should compromise her well-being when providing for her family.  Cooking shouldn’t kill!"  Rotarians Tom and Lora Fisher have taken this to heart, and have generously agreed to match up to 40 stoves purchased at the event.  So, let's meet this challenge to help save lives and protect the environment.  Bring your family and friends.  It's gonna be a blast!  
 
For more information about the event, contact ISC Co-chair Gary Smith at patentgary@hotmail.com.
 
For more information about StoveTeam International and its Ecocina stove, go to www.stoveteam.org.