Annual campaign receives 400 new gifts
When Mitch Nelles volunteered as a campaign worker for the Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s Annual Community Campaign for the first time this year, he decided that he wanted to do things a little bit differently.
As a younger member of the Milwaukee Jewish community, Nelles, 29, said that he knew there were “people I know in the community that haven’t given before.”
So he set out to help change that. Nelles requested the particular challenge of soliciting only for new gifts to Community Campaign 2005.
“I know all of the good things that federation does and has a hand in. I think it is important to get people involved at a younger age,” he said.
His and others’ efforts have paid off. So far the campaign has received about 400 new gifts and has raised $6,523,017, according to general campaign chairs Penny and Jim Deshur.
Nelles said he “really enjoyed the whole process” of soliciting new donors for this year’s campaign. “Just seeing people I know, and the younger generation getting involved” was rewarding.
“It’s so easy to distance yourself from the community,” Nelles said. But “I think it’s great when people take an active interest in helping others or enriching their own lives. I think that makes people happier on some level.”
According to Moshe Katz, the New Donor Outreach Chair for the campaign, “Some people have a natural knack for fundraising. That’s Mitch.”
He has a “natural ability to get people involved and want to participate,” Katz said, adding that Nelles’ enthusiasm is “contagious.”
New generation
For Judy and Brian Parrish, a newly married couple living in West Allis, this was the first year they made a gift to the campaign.
A third-grade teacher at Milwaukee Jewish Day School, Judy, 25, said they were inspired to give because of their parents. “[We’ve both] seen our parents reach out to the community in a variety of different ways,” said Judy Parrish. “We value the importance of giving back to the community.”
Both Judy and Brian serve as B’nai B’rith Youth Organization advisors and believe that it’s “important to give back to the community not only monetarily but also to volunteer our time,” she said.
They also are participants in the George Weinstein Fellowship, which is a leadership training program of the federation and the Jewish Community Foundation, the federation’s endowment development program.
“With money [the community] will continue to thrive,” Judy said. “We think it’s imperative.”
Katz agreed. “The infusion of new gifts is just that — an infusion of new life, an infusion of new possibilities.
“These gifts also represent the new donors’ potential participation in our community — whether it be in the schools, the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services, or any other agencies or organizations within our community.”
And they signal, Katz said, that “there is a new generation out there. If in fact the Jewish population is shrinking in number, it’s marvelous to have new participation in our communal efforts.”
The new gifts are part of a great local tradition of Jewish tzedakah, said the Deshurs. “We are proud of Milwaukee’s rich tradition of federated giving and to be a part of this effort on behalf of our entire community.
“We thank all of the campaign workers and donors who have given so generously of their time and resources on behalf of Community Campaign 2005.”
For more information about the campaign or to make a donation, contact the federation at 414-390-5700 or www.milwaukeejewish.org.
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