Call Day volunteers raise $150,000
As the successor to Super Sunday, Community Call Day continues to come through strong for Jewish Federation of Monmouth County.
“On April 6, we raised in excess of $150,000 and had a continuous flow of volunteers turn out to help throughout the day,” said Sheryl Grutman, federation’s board president and one of the Call Day phone volunteers.
Working primarily in three three-hour shifts — 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1-4 p.m., and 4-7 p.m. — dozens of callers gathered at federation’s Holmdel headquarters, occupying tables set up in the large common area, as well as many staff offices. Some volunteers even used their own cell phones, Grutman said.
Before each shift, the “dozens” of volunteer callers received brief training and advice. “We try to make it as easy as we can for them to succeed on their calls,” Grutman said.
Given the fluid nature of the proceedings — with some people staying the whole day, while others floated in and out to accommodate their personal schedules — it was difficult to estimate a specific number of callers. “Let’s just say it was busy,” she said.
According to Grutman, the day kicked off with an e-mail that reached nearly 6,000 homes. In the message, Joe Hollander, federation’s board chair and campaign vice president, made a pre-Passover appeal urging local Jewish residents to “come together to help those in need.”
Hollander said a contribution to federation is the “best way to do the most good” in the Jewish world. “Through our partners locally and around the world, we touch more Jewish lives than any other organization. We cannot do this work without you.”
Grutman said, “It was most gratifying to speak to people before Pesach and extend Passover wishes. On the whole, members of the community were receptive when reached and willing to do their part to come together to help those in need in Monmouth County, Israel, and around the world.”
According to Grutman, there are several ways to make a pledge or donation, including the federation website jewishmonmouth.org/donate, a call to 732-866-4300, answering affirmatively when members of the community call to ask for support, and returning pledge cards received in the mail. She noted that all contributions are tax-deductible.
“One of the best things about Call Day is that it is fun for the volunteers,” said Grutman. “It’s very uplifting to be where everyone is working toward a common cause.”
The next Community Call Day is scheduled for next fall, on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Anyone interested in volunteering should send an e-mail to elenah@jewishmonmouth.org.
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