Swoosh! Two points! It is that time of year: March Madness, the single-elimination college basketball tournament performed each spring in the United States.
I’m not a basketball die-hard, but I will most likely fill out a bracket with Duke taking it all (I always pick Duke though). According to predictions, the Kentucky Wildcats are supposed to be the 2013 NCAA March Madness champions.
I have a different kind of prediction though, and it doesn’t involve basketball at all. I predict $78,000 in gifts for the coming Milwaukee Jewish Federation mini-campaign, March Mitzvah.
Last year, you might recall that the MJF hosted March “Matchness”, a mini-campaign that resulted in $72,000 in gifts that were dispersed to our community partner agencies. March “Matchness” was such a success that MJF staff decided to make it an annual tradition.
This year, the MJF renamed the mini-campaign as “March Mitzvah,” which I think really reflects the generosity of our community.
“Our Campaign is in full stride, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers and staff, as we try to support the needs of our community here in Milwaukee, throughout Wisconsin, in Israel, and wherever in the world there are Jews in need,” said Mitch Moser, 2013 Campaign Chair. “As March Madness signals the end of the college basketball year, we hope that March Mitzvah will help us to close off our Community Campaign as champions.”
March Mitzvah will launch March 1 and end March 31. Members of the community who make and increase their gift to the 2013 Community Campaign by at least $36 during March Mitzvah will be entered each week into a prize drawing.
Additionally, donors who have already made their gift to the 2013 Campaign are encouraged to participate by simply increasing their existing gift by at least $36.
Finally, donors who increase their gift by $100 or more will be entered into a special drawing to win a gallery vacation getaway on the shore of Lake Michigan to enjoy two nights at popular Chicago artist Mark Nash’s private vacation home and gallery, Lake Shore House in Sheboygan. Noah Christensen and The Shorewood Press donated this special grand prize.
“This year, we have great prizes, so we are super excited about how we might be able to increase the mini-campaign,” said Shelly M. Sampon, MJF Campaign and Marketing Manager. “I was so encouraged by our sponsors and prize-donors. They gave generous prizes and supported our mini-campaign’s efforts completely.”
Both the Campaign staff and its volunteer leaders hope that the community will once again participate in this special March initiative, which marks the final months of the 2013 Community Campaign.
“The Women’s Division has really come together this year to work together for this year’s campaign,” said Sharyl Paley, 2013 Women’s Division Campaign Chair. “Women with all different roles and interests in the community have helped to ensure that we continue to raise funds for this campaign for the community and I am so grateful for all of their devotion and hard work.
“If you have not given your gift this year, please do in March Mitzvah, so we can provide the different agencies with the best allocation possible.”
While the 2013 NCAA March Madness basketball tournament makes many “swooshes” this month, help us make a “swoosh” for March Mitzvah.
1. Adventure Rock
2. Alterra Coffee
3. Betty Brinn Children’s Museum
4. Bucca di Beppo
5. Burghardt Sporting Goods
6. Comedy Sportz
7. Documented Video Productions
8. Harley-Davidson Museum
9. JK Lee Tae Kwan Do
10. Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
11. Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
12. Neroli Salon & Spa
13. Noah Christensen & The Shorewood Press
14. Renaissance Theatreworks
15. Skylight Music Theatre
16. SPIN Milwaukee
17. Stone Creek Coffee
18. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
19. Waukesha Sportscards
Loading ...