Ingredients for a successful social-justice fundraising event

What? One night without a home
When? November 9, 7pm-November 10, 7 am
Where? Henderson Lawn, Virginia Tech Campus
I'm extremely happy to communicate that I spent the night under the starts on Friday, and by so doing was able to raise $784!!! for the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program. The following is an account of the makings of this incredible feat, as indicated by what I think are the essential ingredients to have a successful social-justice fundraising event.

1) You need a bright idea.
The idea couldn't be brighter: spend the night without home to raise awareness of homelessness and poverty in Montgomery County.

2) You need an activist.
You need someone to show that the issue is important and who is willing to take radical action to highlight it. I played the activist role on Friday by spending a rainy, gelid night under the stars on Henderson Lawn.

3) You need a charming PR
Gordon single-handedly undertook the, in my opinion, most daunting task: knock on doors and ask for money. He was able to obtain pledges from 20!! faculty/staff members of the Department of Chemistry.

4) You need the right audience.
The people at the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Tech are about the most inspiring and reliable group of people that you can imagine.