"What raises money is people's interest in my involvement in the programs," Lee says. "How many college kids get the opportunity to do something like this? [It's] something we all believe in, and we can really share that with people."

"The most effective method [for getting donor interest] is their direct testimony of what they've done, not only how the service affects the recipient, but them as students and how much it meant to their Harvard experience," says Francis H. Duehay `55, former mayor of Cambridge and Centennial Campaign co-chair.

After piquing donor interest, Lee and Duehay will coordinate the next step- personal solicitations, or the nitty-gritty work of actually asking for money.

"Now we have to call everybody who was there. This was sort of the kickoff thing so I don't think we can relax. It was just a lot of fun," Lee says.

Given the timing of this campaign and the stock market's recent downward spiral, students are hesitant to expect huge returns from their requests for funding. But Couch, the seasoned professional, is not overly worried.

"The economy right now is a bit difficult, so there's some sense that we have to be a bit careful, but overall people are still feeling pretty comfortable," she says. "Nobody is pushing any panic buttons."

Not all support for PBHA will come from relatively deep pockets. The campaign leadership committee also launched the Lee's Leaders fundraising program to honor Lee Smith, who worked as an administrative assistant at PBHA for 43 years.

"Lee's Leaders focuses on participation from PBHA alums who have graduated in the recent past," Lee says. The newly minted alumni lead the way with $500 to $5,000 donations, with the goal of raising $1 million for the campaign.