Shana Dressler, the Landmark Education graduate and photographer from New York City who raised money for the poor and awareness of the Indian deity Ganesh (see our previous story in Landmark Education News about Dressler’s multimedia project), has a new venture: Global Giving Circle, a group of people dedicated to finding creative and innovative solutions to alleviate poverty.

This creativity is on display at the Global Giving Circle’s premier event: a fundraiser titled the “Chocolate Tasting Extravaganza”, which is being held on Valentine’s Day, Saturday February 14^th, from 3-5pm, at the Side Bar on 120 E. 15^th St. in New York City.

A chocolate extravaganza is appropriate as the event is raising money for Project Hope and Fairness, a non-profit, 5013C organization that aids African Cocoa farmers and their families. The goal of the fundraiser is to raise $5,000 to build a well and buy equipment for the farmers.

Tickets start at $25, which will allow attendees to sample chocolates from the many generous sponsors, including Divine Chocolate, Jacques Torres, Baked, Marie Belle, The Chocolate Room, Theo, Vere, Sweet Riot, Chocolate for Change, Fine & Raw, Amano Chocolates, Stogo and others.

The Chocolate Tasting Extravaganza is only the beginning for Dressler and the Global Giving Circle-The group has five original benefits planned for 2009 that will support incredibly worthy grass roots organizations which are working on issues such as human rights, global warming, the global water crisis, micro-enterprise and youth leadership.