Super Sunday fund-raiser slated for Jan. 22
Date: 1/16/2012
January 16, 2012 SPRINGFIELD — Super Sunday, the Jewish Federation’s biggest fund-raising event of the year, will take place on Jan. 22.
Super Sunday will raise funds for the 2012 Federation Annual Campaign, which supports a network of local, national, and international agencies that provide a wide variety of educational and social services for those in need.
Volunteers can make calls from both the Upper and Lower Valleys — at the Federation office, 1160 Dickinson St., Springfield, and at Lander-Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St., Northampton. Volunteers can choose from two sessions, from 9 to 11 a.m., and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. An additional follow-up calling session will be on Jan. 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. at both locations.
For more than 85 years, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts has been raising funds to meet the ongoing needs of the community. The Federation funds and supports a community-wide network of organizations that care for people in need in Western Massachusetts, in Israel, and in 70 countries around the world, and nurtures and sustains the Jewish community today and for future generations.
From feeding the hungry to helping the unemployed, from supporting families in financial crisis to funding Jewish education and Israel experiences, the Federation is focused on addressing the most pressing issues facing the community. Even during these difficult economic times, when the Federation’s highest priority is helping people in financial crisis feed their families, pay their rent and get back on their feet, the Federation continues to ensure that the programs and institutions that enrich Jewish life in Western Massachusetts, in Israel, and around the world, remain vibrant and strong.
In addition, during natural disasters and times of crisis around the U.S. and around the globe, the Federation responds. The Federation helped airlift thousands of Ethiopian Jews to safety in Israel, as well as rescue and resettle more than one million Soviet Jews in Israel and North America. The Federation also provided lifesaving humanitarian relief during the recent natural disasters in Haiti and Japan.
Local beneficiary agencies include: Hebrew High School of New England, Heritage Academy, Jewish Family Service, Lander-Grinspoon Academy, Lubavitcher Yeshiva Academy (LYA), Resource Center for Jewish Education, The Sandi Kupperman Learning Center at Temple Beth El, Sinai Temple Religious School, Springfield Jewish Community Center, and University of Massachusetts Hillel.
National organizations that receive funding include Taglit-Birthright Israel, and overseas agencies include the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Jewish Agency for Israel, and World ORT.
More than 100 people of all ages from throughout the community volunteer every year on Super Sunday, the largest Jewish community fund-raising event in Western Massachusetts. During the course of the day, thousands of current and new donors will be contacted for pledges to the campaign.
Numerous prizes will be given away throughout the day, including the “Golden Phone Award” — a $1,000 prize to the beneficiary agency with the highest number of Super Sunday volunteers. This award was given away for the first time last year, resulting in an increase in the number of volunteers, and helping to instill a sense of friendly competition between agencies. LYA had the most volunteers last year and was declared the winner. In addition, a new Team Spirit trophy will be awarded to the agency with the most ruach (spirit). Numerous prizes will be given to volunteers who obtain pledges from new donors.
An art project for children will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for children ages 4 and older. Kids can decorate and personalize thank you cards, which will be sent to donors who make their pledges on Super Sunday.
Volunteers can RSVP online at
www.jewishwesternmass.org.
For more information, contact Debbie Peskin, Super Sunday coordinator, at 737-4313 ext. 121.
