Fifty years ago, the Aces debuted on the bridge world stage
By Chip Dombrowski
The bridge community continues to show strong support for efforts to fight Alzheimer’s disease, support caregivers and research for a cure.
“The Alzheimer’s Association congratulates and thanks ACBL for their most successful year yet as a Global Team for The Longest Day, raising more than $1.3 million in 2019,” said CEO Harry Johns. “ACBL and its members have shown an unwavering commitment that has resulted in raising more than $6 million over seven years. These funds have helped propel critical Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs. We know that many of ACBL’s members are motivated by their personal connection to this disease, and we stand with them as we work to achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s.”
ACBL clubs and units hosted fundraising events on the day of their choice one week in June, and for the third year in a row topped $1 million. Of the top 20 groups that participated in The Longest Day 2019, the ACBL raised about as much as the other 19 combined. The Longest Day 2019 was the biggest one yet, raising $1,309,000 – topping last year’s effort by $132,000. “The results of this year’s fundraising campaign are a testament to the giving spirit of our members,” said Joe Jones, the ACBL’s executive director. “The funds raised through ACBL’s The Longest Day events will help fund future research focused on cognitive engagement, like bridge.”
About 450 clubs and units participated this year. Although that number was down about 10% from 2018, the amount collected in sanction fees for The Longest Day games was up slightly, again over $44,000. Additional funds were raised at seven tournaments where organizers chose to contribute the funds from their charity games to the Alzheimer’s Association.
These amounts were dwarfed by the results of clubs’ fundraising activities outside of bridge.
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