October 2022 - 12

The 10th Round
T
ACBL raises $1M for The Longest Day
By Chip Dombrowski
he fight against Alzheimer's disease remains
an important cause for ACBL members in the
League's 10th year as a global partner of the Alzheimer's
Association. ACBL teams raised $1,003,075 for
the Alzheimer's Association in activities connected to
The Longest Day.
" For a decade, our members have gathered together to
support the fight against Alzheimer's, a disease that sadly
many of us have been touched by, " said Joe Jones, executive
director of the ACBL. " With The Longest Day, players
harness their generous spirit, while at the same time
promoting the healthy aging benefits of bridge. "
In each of the last three years before the pandemic, the
ACBL fundraising total was more than $1 million. That
dropped to $828,000 in 2020 and $917,000 last year - impressive
numbers given the limiting circumstances. While
things have been creeping closer to normal, it's evident
that we aren't quite there yet. But reaching the $1 million
goal despite the ongoing challenges is a huge accomplishment.
" I
am blown away to see that our members raised more
than $1 million! " said Stephanie Threlkeld, the ACBL
manager of marketing and education who coordinates the
event. " It's a remarkable accomplishment that will lead to
more research and resources for those affected by Alzheimer's. "
The
9% increase brought the ACBL's 10-year total to
$8.8 million in support of caregivers and research.
Alzheimer's Association CEO Harry Johns acknowledged
the support.
" ACBL continues to be an extraordinary leader in the
fight to end Alzheimer's, " Johns said. " Raising over $1
million this year as a The Longest Day Global Team, and
more than $8.8 million in the last decade, ACBL members
demonstrate their commitment to Alzheimer's Association
care, support and research programs every year.
We are grateful to the entire ACBL community for the
continued dedication and generous support that bring us
closer to our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease
and all other dementia. "
More than 350 U.S. clubs and units participated with
either in-person or online events. Clubs meeting faceto-face
could designate one day during the week of June
19-26 as The Longest Day, while virtual clubs could
participate the weekend of June 18-19, and all could hold
additional fundraising activities at any time.
The ACBL donated $28,000 in sanction fees collected
from these games, and Bridge Base Online donated $5000
12 | Bridge Bulletin | October 2022
Helen Browdy stands by the banner where names of donors are
displayed at the Bridge Club of Atlanta, which raised $160,980.
Atlanta on top
For three years in a row, the top fundraising team has
been Bridge Club of Atlanta, led by Helen Browdy,
which this year brought in $160,980, up $9600 from last
year. For a third time, the team's contribution is anchored
by a $100,000 donation. Anonymous in the past and still
publicity averse, the donor is revealed as Denise DeAngelo,
an online player rarely seen at the club.
This is the ninth year chairing the event for Browdy,
who previously ran a major charity tennis tournament for
leukemia. " I am so lucky that I have had so many people
support me, " Browdy said. " During the rest of the year,
I'm a bridge bum. This gives me purpose. I don't have a
problem asking anyone for money. It makes me feel good
to have a purpose. "
The largest contributor
Six-time $100,000 donor Ruth
Stober, right, with Cathy Kirshner
and Jon Kirshner of BRIDGExpress.
With Stober's gift, the club
raised $138,933.
Once again, the second-highest amount came from
BRIDGExpress in Great Neck NY, led by Cathy Kirshner,
from its share of the game fees.
Separately, $2180 USD ($2830 CAD) was collected in
sanction fees from about 50 Canadian clubs and contributed
to the Alzheimer Society of Canada.
The rest - more than $967,000 - came from the 145
clubs and units that raised funds beyond holding games.
October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2022
