ARNO's supporters go the extra mile...

"Regarding the benefit, it only took about a month to plan. We had about 50-60 guests total and the event was held in our backyard. (I was grateful that it didn't rain but the humidity that day could have rivaled that of New Orleans, I'm sure!) The invitations were sent online via Evite. Many who were unable to attend still sent donations, which was very much appreciated. A few even donated services. A friend of ours manages two restaurants and, in lieu of his attendance, donated two $100 restaurant gift certificates. Another guests is a physician and donated three free sessions of acupuncture. As guests arrived and made donations, they were given a raffle coupon and, later during the benefit, we stopped the music, thanked the crowd and drew coupons from a bowl and raffled off the restaurant and acupuncture gift certificates. They were well received.

The benefit, held on Saturday, August 4, lasted from 4pm-8pm. Mark and I hired three bartenders/waiters, ordered a few trays of sandwiches, wraps, cookies and desserts from a local store, and bought plenty of wine, vodka, mixers and beer. (We're lucky as one of our neighbors owns a liquor store and gave us a discount.) We actually looked into having a local vineyard sponsor the event, but didn't have time to follow-up.

I was surprised at how much others wanted to help. We raised a total of $3,730 to date, with at least one or two other donations still pending. I'm hopeful to hit that $4,000 mark! I only expected to raise about $2,000, so $3,730 was a nice surprise. (A side note: We competed with two celebrity benefits in the Hamptons on August 4: Christie Brinkley -- ex-super model and wife of Billy Joel -- had a benefit for the Albert Einstein Medical Center in NYC and raised $400,000; and Hillary Clinton held fundraisers all weekend and received an estimated $1 million! Sorry to say we didn't come close to those. I guess we need wealthier friends! :)"

^{Close-up of visual prop used at event...}

Anthony's event was an unqualified success, especially considering the stiff competition that weekend! If Hillary had known Anthony's event was the same weekend she surely would have rescheduled! The fundraiser even received coverage in Hampton's magazine! We look forward to meeting Anthony and Mark this spring when they volunteer at ARNO's shelter while in New Orleans! Thanks again, Anthony and Mark!

If you would like information about hosting a fundraiser for ARNO please email Robert.  We have bookmarks, volunteer recruitment fliers and forms, and other materials we can send you. Help spread the word about ARNO's ongoing need for funding and, as valuable if not more than monetary donations, the personal assistance of volunteers from all over North America and the world who are crucial to daily operations. Thanks!