The Longest Day 2025

IIt’s your last chance to donate to our 2025 Longest Day campaign! The Longest Day game had a generosity of spirit as well as donations! Thank you for your generosity so far, and we hope you’ll continue to play bridge and make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease!

 

Over the past years, Unit 498 has put great effort into raising money for the Alzheimer's Association. This worthy organization supports Alzheimer's research and provides support for individuals suffering with Alzheimer's and their caregivers. In 2024 we raised a record of almost $40,000, placing Unit 498 as one of the top Longest Day ACBL fundraisers in the state, nation, and internationally. In 2025, with your help and continued generosity, we plan to raise over $40,000 again! This year is going to be another great way to play bridge and enjoy getting to know others in our bridge community.

 
On behalf of our 2025 committee, we invite you to play bridge and make a difference! And we invite you to donate and invite others you know to donate as well.
 
Please review Longest Day fundraising opportunities below and join our team! You can also create your own “team within a team.” The site will lead you through the steps of making a donation and creating your own link to share with family and friends who may also support this worthy cause.
Donate to Alzheimer's Association Here
 
In addition, events in support of The Longest Day include:
  • Play with a Pro. Our list of available experts includes: Mark Sorenson, Robert Ng, Bob Gleason, Raad Bunni, Fred Chasalow, Kai Eckert, and Sue Papilion.
    • For a $50 donation, you can play at a regular BBO or in-person ACBL game with a teacher or mentor and receive constructive comments and tips on your bidding and play after the game
    • For a $200/table donation, four players ($50 each) can join a teaching table on BBO.
    • For a $200/table donation, host an in person game at your home. Choose a pro from our available experts for a fun and informative experience.
    • Reserve your space by emailing our “Play with a Pro” event manager: Barbara Lewis at blewisunit498@gmail.com
  • We have some in-home games planned already that you are welcome to join:
    Raad Bunni – special two-hour lesson at Raad’s house.
  • ​Audrey Grant has offered everyone in our Unit and their friends three months of
    her wonderful Interactive Daily Bridge Column for a donation to the Alzheimer’s
    Association.
    • You can donate anywhere from $30 to $3000 to access this column, which is good for everyone from beginner to expert because of the “walkthru” for each hand.
    • Join the thousands of bridge players around the world who are enjoying her daily practice, tips on bidding, play of the hand, and defense, as well as quizzes and expert opinions. 
    • Please email Barbara Lewis with your name, email address, and phone number, so she can get you signed up. It’s a winwin for everyone!​
  • Barbara Seagram has offered us her 5-part video series on declarer play.
    • You’ll become a confident and skilled declarer, equipped with powerful tools to navigate both no trump and suit contracts. Learn how to recognize and protect against the danger hand, master safety plays, and elevate your understanding of counting losers–discovering clever ways to dispose of them. From loser-on-loser plays to the art of establishing long suits, each lesson is packed with practical techniques that will sharpen your game.
    • For a minimum donation of $60 (value CA$119), you will have access to these five 2-hour sessions and very detailed notes forever.
    • Please email Barbara Lewis with your name, email address, and phone number, so she can get you signed up. It’s a winwin for everyone!
New this year – the Alzheimer’s Assocation offers a number of tax-friendly ways to donate. Through the donation link above you will be shown how to give directly from your Donor Advised Fund from the website. For those dealing with Required Minimum Distributions, this Longest Day fundraising for Alzheimer’s is a wonderful beneficiary. Contact your institution to make a gift. 
 
Thank you!
Your Longest Day Committee
Co-Chairs: Barbara Lewis and Marie Pattie
Members: Fred Chasalow, Lauren Rosen, Janelle Van Rensselaer
Questions? Contact Barbara at blewisunit498@gmail.com or 650.619.6109

A Letter from Fred Chasalow

 

I have been asked many times, “Why did you start to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association?”

 

Here is my answer:

 

            In December 1907, my grandfather came to the US from a village near Pinsk. I remember him showing me Pinsk on an atlas. During the Russo-Japanese war, soldiers had come to conscript him for the army. Conscripts served for 20 years, if they lived that long. He left by the back door, walked to the Netherlands and boarded a ship to the US. Once, I counted 11 languages that he spoke fluently:  English, Russian, Polish, German, Yiddish, Hebrew, Aramaic and several others. When I was 5 he taught me algebra, long division and square roots. All things he knew well. He kept the books for his store and rental real estate. Despite all of these abilities, when he was 75, he was no longer able to care for himself and had to move into a nursing home. I went to visit him regularly with my Mom. After a while, he could no longer even be sure who I was. Those days must have been extremely long for him. My greatest health fear is that I may lose my mental ability, just as my grandfather did.

 

            When the Longest Day program with the ACBL started, I recognized the opportunity to raise money for Alzheimer’s syndrome and other dementia diseases.

                        

My challenge to you is:

 

 

If you have the same concern as I have, what are you doing about it?
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