CINCINNATI — Dozens of people worked to pick up phones and raise funds Sunday at Mayerson JCC.
The Phone-A-Thon is the biggest single-day fundraiser for the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati.
The Federation's mission, according to their website, is to "develop and connect leaders, contributors, organizations, and ideas to build an inclusive Jewish community that helps people in need, supports Israel, and assures a vibrant Jewish future."
New to the phone-a-thon this year, the Federation also took text donations and put a stronger focus on social media.
"I've been part of the Super Sunday findraising effort as long as I can remember," said Ross Evans, a volunteer at the Phone-A-Thon.
Evans, from Blue Ash, has been volunteering with the Federation for decades. His mother worked for Jewish Family Services for 30 years -- an organization that relies heavily on support and funding from the Federation to continue to aid and impact local communities.
"I keep doing it because the continuity of the Jewish community here in Cincinnati is really, really critical," said Evans. "I want my grandchildren here in the community to have the same opportunities that I did."
Funds raised in Sunday's event, and other events throughout the year, are funneled to different community groups both within Mayerson JCC and throughout the Tri-State. Funds are also sent to support some programs in Israel.
"Without the contributions from our donors, a lot of these organizations wouldn't exist and wouldn't be so helpful to our community," said Ryan Small, co-chair of Super Sunday Phone-A-Thon. "Over the course of the year we hope to raise, in 2019 for this campaign, in excess of $8 million for the community."
The goal for Sunday's event alone was to raise $150,000 and that goal was met before the event was even over.
