Bridge players across the country joined together in June to raise more than $1.2 million for the Alzheimer’s Association’s yearly summer fundraiser, The Longest Day. Newtown Bridge Club was within the top ten fundraising teams of American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) events around the world this year, according to an announcement received September 26.

During the week of the summer solstice — the day of the year with the most sunlight — ACBL bridge clubs hosted games, lessons, silent auctions and other activities to raise awareness and drive donations to support the fight against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This year, 323 bridge clubs banded together and launched fundraising teams to garner $1,210,210.35. This donation total includes more than $27,000 of ACBL sanction fees collected from club games hosted for The Longest Day.

Due to the card game’s social-gathering aspects and mentally engaging challenges, bridge incorporates healthy behaviors that can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. ACBL began partnering with Alzheimer’s Association for The Longest Day in 2013, and since then has raised more than $10 million for the organization.

ACBL Executive Director Bronia Jenkins said most people “have been affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia in some fashion, and the ACBL community has rallied bridge players to support the research for its prevention and treatment by simply participating in an activity they love.

“I am amazed by the generosity of our membership and the hard work team organizers put into The Longest Day to support the Alzheimer’s Association,” Jenkins added.

Newtown Bridge Club’s Longest Day efforts this year raised $24,275, the tenth highest level reported by ACBL.

The top fundraising groups of ACBL’s global team were Team HB (Helen Browdy), of Atlanta, Ga., raising $130,895; BRIDGExpress, Great Neck, N.Y., $118,998; St Louis Bridge Center, St Louis, Mo., $78,175; Indianapolis Bridge Center, Indianapolis, Ind., $61,592; Santa Barbara Rufnsluffers, Santa Barbara, Calif., $42,000.

Also, Unit 498 & The Peninsula Team, Belmont, Calif., $41,038; Charlotte Bridge Association, Charlotte, N.C., $37,525; Bridge Heroes 2024, Arlington, Va., $33,751 raised; and Fort Wayne Duplicate Bridge Club, Fort Wayne, Ind., $28,140.

Joanne Pike, DrPH, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s Association, said not only did the ACBL effort once again exceed the previous year’s total, “the ACBL’s total giving reached a major milestone” by hitting the $10 million raised since the partnership began.

“This has been a remarkable year of progress for our cause, and the Alzheimer’s Association is proud to lead the way to accelerate global research, drive risk reduction and early detection, and maximize quality care and support,” Pike added. “Support from ACBL is helping so many people and families impacted by this disease, and we are grateful to the ACBL community for their ongoing commitment.”

Founded in 1937, the American Contract Bridge League is the largest bridge organization in the world, serving 130,000 members and 2,000 bridge clubs and sanctioning 1,100 sectional and regional tournaments annually.

The ACBL’s three North American Bridge Championships each attract up to 4,000 players from all around the world. A challenging and rewarding card game, bridge draws players of all ages and walks of life, from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to Jeopardy champion James Holzhauer.

Newtown Bridge Club holds regularly scheduled bridge games on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at 12:30 pm at Edmond Town Hall. New players are always welcome.

The club also regularly offers workshops and classes.

To register or for more information, email director@newtownbridge.org, call 203-733-8525, or visit newtownbridge.org.