In the 9 months of hard work involved in this year’s Public Service campaign, one huge aspect of it that I, as committee co-chair, knew was beyond my ability to pull off was a fundraiser. To make matters more complicated, we happened to choose a client—The Center for Great Apes—that necessitated a larger amount of money to be generated because their operation happened to be larger in scope than what a normal non-profit might be. So after all was said and done, we realized if our project would see a successful end, then we would need to put on a fundraiser that was larger in fundraising potential than what had ever really been attempted in the past.
No big deal right?
I couldn’t do it, and neither could my co-chair. Try as we might, we had no experience in Event Planning, and we were almost half way through the year already.
Enter Lisa Marie Chimento. In the span of four months, she almost single handedly put on not only a spectacular event for the Center for Great Apes, but also an event that’s sure to be a record setter for the amount of money raised in one night for any Ad 2 Orlando fundraiser.
I couldn’t be more proud and honored than I am today to have worked with such an amazing group of people this year, and Lisa went well beyond our expectations to place herself as one of the clear leaders in this years Public Service effort.
The activities (just to name a few) included all night entertainment, dancing, a silent auction, poker tournaments, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, premium buffet, door prizes, an amazing documentary created by local production company, Big Sky Productions, and of course, the “Hollywood entrance”.
Thanks to Lisa Marie, and to all our 2010 Public Service teammates. Kristina and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with. I’m confident in saying you’ve all earned the respect of the entire Ad 2 Orlando community.
-Wayne Alan Kan, Art Director and 2010 Public Service co-chair