Jewish Federation Raises $1.53 Million in 1 Day

The Jewish Federation’s Valley Alliance phone fund-raising campaign exceeded its goal with $1.53 million in donations.

“It’s the highest one-day total we’ve ever had out here, so we’re very excited,” said Bonnie Somers, the group’s public relation’s director.

Nearly 1,000 San Fernando Valley-area volunteers made about 10,000 phone calls in support of Super Sunday--the Jewish community’s largest fund-raising event of the year.

Volunteers themselves contributed a total of $250,000 in small increments, said David Levy, campaign director.

The youngest, a 4-year-old, brought in the change she’d saved all year.

“Quarters, dimes and nickels--that’s the way we got the money,” Levy said. “The community made the commitment. It was a wonderful thing.”

The Valley’s success was due to more volunteers reaching more people, he added.

The Valley Alliance in West Hills is one of four Jewish Federation locations throughout Los Angeles that, together, raised $4.7 million Sunday.

More than 60% of the money will benefit 14 local nonsectarian social service agencies. The rest will go to Israel and 50 other countries to support humanitarian programs.