McArton explains that "We need to raise more money to meet the needs of the community." He says that the community's needs are increasing due to increased costs, and also to the lack of increase of government support for beneficiary  agencies such as  Jewish Child and Family Services, Shalom Residences and the Simkin Centre. "This means that the necessary increase in funds will need to come from the Jewish community as the government has not increased its funding to these agencies for a number of years," McArton adds. 

McArton notes that the campaign is off to a great start. "We've already raised $1 million in the first two weeks of the campaign. We have momentum."

"Super Sunday on Sept 8 was fantastic. We raised $106,358 which I understand is one of the best Super Sundays we've ever had," McArton says, adding that " there was a tremendous turnout of volunteers to make the calls." 

McArton points out that  "We are trying to get each individual donor to give a little more. If they can't then that's fine too, but people are stepping up and giving more, which is great."  He adds that "We are trying to increase the number of donors. We are reaching out to people who have not given in the past or who are new to the community."

McArton notes that as part of this year’s campaign, the Federation, drawing on information provided by its 12 local beneficiary agencies, and from the programs it runs, has outlined the 34,718 reasons for supporting the CJA.    Be it the 604 children and youth who received meaningful Jewish education, the 4,302 kosher meals on wheels that were delivered to seniors, or the 10,080 Jewish-themed books that have been delivered to children through PJ Library, the funds the Federation distributes to its beneficiary agencies help make all the 34,718 somethings possible. (Editor's note: You are invited to explore the 34,718 Reasons to Give to the 2019-2020 CJA Campaign )

McArton emphasizes that "We want to explain how essential the Jewish Federation is to the community and how every donor is essential to our well being as a community." He adds,"People need to take ownership of the community and feel that their gift is essential."

McArton says he is working with a great team of people. "We have a Team of Top Donor Chairs. They include: Gail Asper, Bryan Klein, Steve Kroft, Karyn Lazareck, Joel Lazer, Peter Leipsic, Adam Levene, Moe Levy, Murray Palay."

Women's Philanthropy Chairs are Laura Diamond and Paula Parks. Lion of Judah Chair is Jessica Kraut. Ben-Gurion Society Chairs are Michael & Yael Silver.

Young Adult Division Chairs are Bryan Hack and Samantha Morry. They are looking to reach out to young people ages 25-45. "We are hoping that more and more young people will get involved. There are about 150 people in the Young Adult Division, " McArton says.

Super Sunday this year was held in conjunction with a community wide  Block Party put on by the Rady JCC. The Block party attracted 600 people, and featured music, bouncers, hot dogs, games, face painting, spike ball, arts and crafts and bubble soccer.