The Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona is gearing up for its annual Super Sunday phone-a-thon on Jan. 27 at the Tucson Jewish Community Center, when volunteers will call members of the Tucson Jewish community seeking donations to the Federation’s 2019 Community Campaign.
Super Sunday signals that the end of the Federation’s “100 Days of Impact” campaign, Oct. 19-Feb. 1, is drawing near. The goal of campaign organizers is to finalize as many pledges as possible by Feb. 1, says Matt Landau, JFSA director of leadership development.
This year, thanks in part to a successful pre-Super Sunday mini phone-a-thon in December, campaign volunteers and staff have already brought the campaign more than 43 percent of the way to its $4 million target.
Each week during the 100 days, the campaign has focused on different ways Federation and its community partners support humanitarian and educational programs in Tucson, Israel and around the world. Week one, for example, “Federation Includes,” highlighted the Tucson Jewish Community Center’s “Sparks” social club and cheer team, which has members of various ages and abilities. Week three, “Federation Promotes Justice and Equality,” paid tribute to the work of the Jewish History Museum/Holocaust History Center.
Super Sunday will be shorter this year, with volunteer shifts from 9-11 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and 12-2 p.m. Community members can sign up to volunteer at www.jfsa.org/supersunday2019, by emailing mlandau@jfsa.org, or by calling 647-8467. Childcare is available with advance notice.
“Super Sunday is always a really good time,” says Aaron Rottenstein, Super Sunday co-chair with Michael Shiner. “Over the last couple of years I think there’s been a real focus on making the experience for volunteers to be even more fun and upbeat.” Along with food and prizes, volunteers are encouraged to wear their favorite sports team’s colors to add to the festive atmosphere.
Super Sunday is “one of the most participated in events for young leadership in the community,” says Rottenstein. “Last year, we even had some high schoolers there, which was awesome. For members of the broader community, I think it’s really neat for them to be able to come in and see a lot of generations working together to make our community a little bit stronger.”
To save Super Sunday volunteers a call, community members can make a donation by Jan. 18. Visit www.jfsa.org/make-a-donation; mail a check to JFSA, 3718 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718; or call 577-9393.
A Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Tucson J from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in conjunction with Super Sunday. Blood donors must be age 17 or older, and volunteers must be 16 or older.
