Mary Miller, Bridge Teacher and Canandaigua Bridge Club owner, routinely raises thousands of dollars to support the ACBL’s Longest Day fundraiser. Mary, like many of us, has family members and friends that have been affected by Alzheimer’s, so does all she can to support this worthy cause. Below is Mary’s story of how she leads her small but mighty club to such great achievement.
The Canandaigua Duplicate Bridge Club held its 11th Longest Day fundraiser this year. The approach taken is no table fees that day, just bring a check made out to the Alzheimer’s Association and wear something purple! The First Congregational Church doesn’t charge the club rent for that day.
Without prescribing an extra dollar or two for a charity, players bring their very generous checks, and some are attached to personal notes from the player who is thankful for supporting this worthwhile cause because of how this disease has directly impacted their family.
This year one player wrote her brother had died from Alzheimer’s just a few days earlier. Donations are collected that day, as well as continuing until the end of July. The donations are from those who played that day, as well as other players who weren’t able to attend. Players give five dollars, twenty, even $1000! This year, the total donated exceeded $11,000!!
Picture this: my bridge adventure kicked off just before the world turned upside down with Covid. I was finally getting the hang of face-to-face games, and then, bam! We were all whisked away to the land of online bridge. Talk about a plot twist!
When I was in college, I had no interest in bridge. When I saw the other students playing at lunch time, I would keep walking. I graduated, married, and got hired by Kodak. A beginning bridge class was being offered by the late, and very great John Donovan. My wife and I signed up. Soon, I started playing at lunch time with co-workers. My partner was Steve, and he would be my regular partner for the next 45 years.