October 2019 - 12

Committed to the Cause
ACBL raises $1.3M for The Longest Day

he 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 motivat-

ed 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.

In the seventh year of the event, the fundraising operations at many clubs are something of a machine. There are
some things that can be counted on. Sagamore Bridge
Club in Syosset NY will lead the way with a total over
$200,000. The largest donor will be Ruth Stober of Floral
Park NY, who contributed $100,000 for the third time. The
competition among teams within Silvana Scotto's club will
generate a little more than Stober's massive contribution
and a little more than any other club.
But the gap is narrowing. For the first time, Sagamore
isn't the only club raising more than $100,000. After being
knocked out of the No. 2 spot last year, the Bridge Club of
Atlanta came charging back, increasing donations by 56%
to reach $102,222. "We were very fortunate to have a lot of
community support this year," said Helen Browdy, who led
the club's efforts along with Arlene Tauber. Among the list
of donors to the Atlanta team are several family foundations
and companies. How did they secure these major grants?
"We just asked them!" Browdy said. She and Tauber hosted

12 Bridge Bulletin October 2019

BY CHIP DOMBROWSKI

"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.

Linda Davidson, left, and Dan Goerke, right, of the Alzheimer's
Association present certificates to Arlene Tauber and Helen Browdy
for their work at Bridge Club of Atlanta, which raised $102,222.

October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2019