VERTU (Virtual Economies Realizing True Usefullness) was the first organized group in Second Life to raise money in-world for "real life" non-profit organizations. Founded by Bhodi Silverman, but fueled by the creative energies of such SL Luminaries as Neph Protagonist, Frances Chung, Fallingwater Cellardoor, Eddie Escher, Baccara Rhodes, Malachi Petunia and many more. Done in partnership with the now-defunct Gaming Open Market, VERTU pulled off three campaigns. The first was for The EFFand raised $1,768. The founding members of VERTU and the community at large were shocked by the success of this first effort. Two subsequent campaigns, one for Heifer International and one for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. (Money from this campaign was donated to The Red Cross, but it was not raised in