It started with an enormous commitment to End Childhood Hunger in Connecticut.  Pierrette Comulada pondered the huge challenge set before her and for a few weeks cast about for a BIG idea to inspire and motivate her team.  And then, in an intimate moment between Mother and child at bedtime as she read Judi Barrett's classic children's story, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs", she gasped a little.  Her son looked up, "What's wrong Mommy?"  

Pierrette came to me before our next meeting and asked if she could run an idea by me.  "I was reading "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" to my son and it suddenly occurred to me that this book would be a fabulous theme for our event!  What do you think?"  I paused for a moment, my mind racing and then blurted, "BRILLIANT!"  It says everything for us visually!  It connects food, kids and Share Our Strength's vision!  I LOVE IT!"

From that moment all of the elements began to fall into place.  Huge blow ups of the illustrations, cloudy mobiles raining meatballs onto the symbolic connection to Yale with their umbrellas would transform the Hall into a magical world where No KID HUNGRY could become a reality in Connecticut!

Judi Barrett loved the idea and generously offered up her brilliant story to End Childhood hunger.  Simon and Schuster got behind our mission.  Yale University became convinced it was the right thing to do.  Mobiles came to my mind.  A very modest man who works with HUGE images everyday became inspired to make the book Larger Than Life.  A stay at home mother with a little girl offered her help and crafted 250 magical meatballs.  A tradesman donated piping and and architect supplied foam core.  A lighting designer offered rope and lighting and "high wire" skills.  A young entrepreneur offered up a warehouse of furniture, along with many hands to set the stage. Volunteers turned out to install this fantasy allowing me to turn Pierrette's  "AHA!" moment into a reality. 
