Super Sunday, the telethon for the 2012 Federation Campaign, is just around the corner and that means it is time to “Energize Our Community.”
Helene Kramer Longton will be leading the charge, and she’s looking for lots of volunteers to help with everything from decorations to making calls.
“I’m thrilled to be asked to chair Super Sunday,” she said. “Traditionally, this is where the rubber hits the road. It’s a wonderful opportunity for our Jewish Community of Louisville to connect with folks out there we don’t get to see more often.”
Kramer Longton believes Super Sunday is a wonderful way for people to begin to volunteer for and connect with the Jewish community. “Many people who started their volunteering on Super Sunday have developed into great Jewish citizens and leaders of our community today.”
“The more volunteers we have, the better Super Sunday will be,” she continued. “In keeping with our theme, Energizing Our Community, we want to capture all the untapped energy out there to secure a solid financial future for our Louisville Jewish community – AND we want to have fun!”
Super Sunday Call Central will be in the Board Room on the second floor of Shalom Tower. Choose the shift that works best for you: 9:30 a.m.-noon, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. or 6:30-9 p.m.
Never worked a telethon before? Unsure of what to do? Not a problem. All volunteers will spend the first half hour of the shift meeting with trainer Laurence Nibur, who will provide some basic information on how to make calls and lots of resources that you can access when you have questions.
Why the 2012 Federation Campaign? What does it do?
Your Federation Campaign dollars are the life force of the Jewish community.
Here in Louisville, the Campaign funds Jewish education for children across the community and ensures that Jewish Family & Career Services can provide counseling and employment services on a sliding scale to families and individuals who cannot afford the full fees.
The Campaign also ensures that the Jewish Community of Louisville (JCL) can continue and expand programming options at the Jewish Community Center from cultural and educational offerings, like the Jewish Film Festival and the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School to exciting Teen Connection and BBYO programs that keep middle and high school students involved and connected with the Jewish community.
The Campaign also supports the Jewish Community Relations Council so it can advocate for the Jewish community in the public sphere and keeps Hillel as a strong presence on campus at the University of Louisville, engaging and serving students throughout the metroversity system.
Internationally, thanks to our efforts:
• Jewish communal institutions in Cuba have been rehabilitated, there are opportunities for Jewish study and worship, and a community pharmacy operates in Havana.
• In Belarus, elderly Jews receive urgent medical care, home repairs and winter relief and there are summer camps for children with disabilities.
• Louisville’s connection with the Western Galilee region of Israel continues to flourish through exchanges in medicine, education, the arts, business and more.
Kramer Longton also stressed that Super Sunday callers are not only looking for donations to the 2012 Federation Campaign. “This year, our Campaign volunteers are going to be asking Jewish citizen for their input on programming,” she said. “We want to hear from you – your thoughts and concerns, what we’re doing well and where we need to do more, and we’re looking for your great ideas.”
There will be plenty of prizes, fun, candy and food on Super Sunday.
To volunteer for the Super Sunday Committee, contact Campaign Associate Matt Goldberg, mgoldberg@jewishlouisville.org or 238-2707. To sign up for the shift of your choice, click here, e-mail mjtimmel@jewishlouisville.org or call 238-2739.
And please, on Super Sunday, answer the call and do your part to “Energize Our Community” by giving generously.
Kramer Longton is a long-time community leader and volunteer. Currently a member of the JCL Board of Directors, she also serves on its Governance Committee, Organizational Structures Committee, Marketing Committee, CEO Evaluation Subcommittee and Jewish Community Center Camp Committee.
She also served as one of the four co-chairs of the Yachad Kadima: Forward Together Committee that did the work that resulted in the formation of the Jewish Community of Louisville through the merger of the Jewish Community Federation and the Jewish Community Center. In addition, she is a past chair of the Jewish Community Relations Council and continues to serve on the JCRC’s Executive Committee.
In the past she also served on the Federation’s Planning and Allocations Committee and has held Campaign leadership positions.
In 2004, she received the Federation’s Julie E. Linker Community Relations Young Leadership Award.
An active member of Temple Shalom, Kramer Longton serves on the congregation’s Board as marketing chair. Last year, she chaired the marketing committee for Temple Shalom’s Klezmerfest, and plans to do so again this year.
She’s also a past member of the Keneseth Israel Preschool Board.
In the general community, Kramer Longton has served as marketing chair for Brooklawn’s signature event, Concours d’Elegance, as marketing co-chair for the Center for Interfaith Relations’ Festival of Faiths, and is a past member of the Louisville Theatrical Association.
Professionally, Kramer Longton owns RemarK Communications, where she works as an independent public relations consultant.
She and her husband, Pete Longton, have a daughter, Karenna; and she is quick to point out that they are consumers of the services the Campaign supports. Karenna, now almost 8, attends Louisville Beit Sefer Yachad (Hebrew School) and camp at the JCC. In fact, the family is planning a JCC birthday party for Karenna soon.
[by Shiela Steinman Wallace]