April 2021 - 31

member may submit a request for grant funding on behalf of
to be the recipient of the funds the sale of the cookbook
an organization. The Foundation extends grants to animal,
generated. Because of the relationships forged between the
arts, cultural, humanity, education, environmental, health
cookbook authors and the ECHO staff, the unit then recomand human services organizations.
mended ECHO as the recipient of the portion of the Charity
Foundation President Nancy Strohmer notes that the
Foundation money that D6 designated to Northern Virginia.
organization has responded to emerging and changing
ECHO is celebrating over 50 years of service to the
needs by making substantial contributions in the wake of
Springfield/Burke area, providing emergency food, clothhurricanes Irma, Harvey and Maria in 2017, the California
ing, household items, counseling, financial assistance and
wildfires in both 2017 and 2019, and the earthquake in
school backpacks.
Mexico in 2017.
Robert Vitter, president of ECHO, commented that they
" We also donate to charities who formally apply for grants
are experiencing a surge in requests for assistance from
from the Foundation, such as autism centers, food pantries,
new clients as well as from former clients who have not
senior health care, ALS, equineneeded assistance in years.
assisted therapy and laptop comDistrict 9, which serves Florida,
puters for schools in Uganda and
donated the entire amount to anTanzania, " said Strohmer.
other very popular cause among
Money to fund the donations
ACBL members: the Alzheimer's
made by the ACBL Charity
Association.
Foundation is raised primarily
Chicago and Wisconsin are
from the charity games held in
home to District 13. " When I
clubs and units. In addition, there
learned that we were among the
are two ACBL-wide charity games
districts receiving a grant, I felt
held annually in clubs. These
really lucky, " said Suzi Subeck,
games were not held in 2020 due to
district director. " Charities everythe pandemic. The ACBL Charity
where were suffering because the
Foundation was forced to suspend
pandemic made it impossible for
all grants until further notice.
them to run their regular fundraisers. In addition, the loss of employment in so many non-essential
Game on
industries made it doubly difficult
This year, the charity games are
for organizations to offer the
back on track. Not only do playlevels of community support they
ers earn upgraded masterpoints,
wanted so desperately to provide. "
but part of each Virtual Club enOne of the beneficiaries of
try fee will be given to the ACBL
District 13's grant was the Lussier
Charity Foundation during the
From left: Anita King and Francesa Mazarella with the
Community Education Center
week of April 12-18. All sanccookbook, an ECHO volunteer and Carolyn Baird.
in Madison WI. Suggested by
tioned club sessions are eligible,
Subeck's daughter, Lisa, who
and 90% of proceeds from these
is a state representative living in Madison - and a bridge
games support grants of the Foundation.
player - Lussier has been operating for 40 years and offers
These fundraising games will be held in the virtual clubs
a variety of enrichment programs, including a biweekly
on Bridge Base Online. No registration is required. Simply
food pantry and a weekly " Food from Friends " program that
play in your usual virtual club game.
offers fresh produce and bread for families and individuals
" I am gratified that ACBL affords us the chance to give
facing hunger and food insecurity.
back to our local communities, " said Subeck. " District 13
The generous donation was a surprise to A.B. Orlik, develdivides the grant as I am sure most districts do, between
opment director at the center. In his letter of appreciation,
worthwhile organizations in my district. Helping as many
he noted that his wife is an avid bridge player and ACBL
as we do is good for bridge, good for our players and affirms
member - a complete coincidence.
our commitment to goodwill. Thank you to the Charity
The District 23 board, serving Los Angeles County, chose
Foundation for their great work. "
to prioritize charities oriented to the pandemic.
More information on the ACBL Charity Foundation,
The Charity Foundation has made substantial contriincluding a grant application form, can be found at acbl.org/
butions to a wide range of charitable organizations. Any
charityfoundation.
April 2021 | Bridge Bulletin | 31

http://www.acbl.org/

April 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of April 2021