The Longest Day 2025

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 visit this Longest Day fundraising page 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:

June 21st Longest Day Sponsored Unit game and lunch at the Villa! Please mark your calendar. It will be an enjoyable day with bridge, lunch and a raffle. (If anyone would like to donate to the raffle, thank you and please let us know.)

Jenny and Raad’s weekly games on June 18th and June 20th. These will also be charity games that week. Thank you Raad and Jenny for your generosity.

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. Reserve your space by emailing our “Play with a Pro” event manager: Barbara Lewis at blewisunit498@gmail.com
- 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.
In-home games. They fill up quickly so email Barbara Lewis if you are interested in learning more.

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?