Challenge: How do you create a buzz that generates a tenfold increase over initial investment that for the benefit of a charitable organization?

In the late summer of 2005 the Red Cross had warned America that they needed to fill their coffers for what was expected to be the most damaging hurricane season seen in recent times. They were right. On August 20, 2005 the Red Cross held the Red Hot Red Cross Ball in the Hamptons. Even though we had done well in raising our own contribution to the cause we challenged ourselves to get see if we could do more. So with $150 of art supplies and a lot of networking we were able to paint a one-of-a-kind painting, on site that was to be auctioned off at the end of the night. And even though the humidity was through the roof, the bugs were attacking left and right an some lovely child ran across the painting as it was drying it all came out okay in the end. This was more of an exercise in fund raising than it was in fine art. Keeping our promise to be discreet about who bought it and for how much let’s just say we were dumbfounded by the contribution!