October 28, 2011

Mizzou Hillel held its annual fundraiser Hillel-A-Thon this past week.

Students made phone calls to potential donors asking for pledges during Hillel-A-Thon, director Brian Mitchell said.

“It is completely driven by students,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell said the Jewish Student Organization put a lot of work into Hillel-A-Thon. The students get paid $5 an hour for making phone calls, but he said the real reason they participate is an appreciation of the donations.

Mitchell said students are not just going though the phone book but are calling people who have supported Hillel in the past.

“We have a strong core group of supporters who are alumni and were involved in Hillel,” Mitchell said.

Donors also include members of the Jewish community in Columbia and student’s family members, Mitchell said.

They reach out to people who have a personal connection to Mizzou Hillel, Treasurer Kyle Tons said.

“We call people to try and make it personal, instead of just sending envelopes and a letter to everyone on a mailing list,” Tons said.

The fundraiser was supposed to be held Monday through Thursday night, but JSO President David Feldman said it ended a night early because the calling list had been exhausted.

Feldman said because those who agree to be donors do not necessarily mention a specific amount, the organization will not know how much money it made until it receives the pledges in the mail. Last year, Hillel-A-Thon raised about $8,000, he said.

“If we can match what we made last year, that would be great,” Feldman said.

The goal of the fundraiser is to make sure there is no cost to any student who participates in Hillel programming, Mitchell said.

“Hillel is a not-for-profit organization,” Mitchell said. “Fundraising is the only way to provide free programming for students.”

The money raised goes to pay for a combination of religious, social and educational programming. It funds events such as Friday night Shabbat services and the free dinner that follows, Mitchell said.

Hillel also uses the money to plan fun activities like mini-golf or laser tag, which are also free for students, Tons said.

Hillel-A-Thon is the primary fundraiser for Hillel.

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