Kiva West Duplicate Bridge Club “Kiva West” of Sun City West, held a “Longest Day” fundraiser June 21 at Sun City West Beardsley Recreation Center to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association. Kiva West hosted 104 bridge players (26 tables of four) that day and raised over $8,500, well-exceeding the goal of $3,500. Bridge players were from Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise and the surrounding area.

This is the sixth year that Kiva West has participated in the “Longest Day” fundraiser. The Longest Day is the day with the most light, June 20 which is the summer solstice. During the week of summer solstice, people from across the world fought the darkness of Alzheimer’s through fundraising activities. Kiva West joined hundreds of other bridge clubs, to raise funds for Alzheimer’s during the week of June 16.

During the “Longest Day” event, Kiva West bridge players  enjoyed a buffet lunch and participated in a pertinent, multiple choice contest about “Your Memory for Bridge Trivia” and “Useful Information About Alzheimer’s Disease”. Winners of the contest received “Free Play” coupons to use at upcoming Kiva West bridge games, which are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 12:30pm at Beardsley Rec Center in Sun City West.  Bridge lessons are held on given Thursday mornings by a credentialed bridge teacher. 

The funds raised support the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association, which include groundbreaking research initiatives driving the field toward methods of treatment, prevention and ultimately, a cure. The Association’s research interests extend to games of strategy – like bridge – that may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The Association will continue to accelerate research which provides gold-standard care and support to families facing the disease until the date it is no longer needed. 

Contact Kiva West Bridge Club for general information and details about bridge games and lessons at KivaWestBridgeClub@gmail.com.  For information about Alzheimer’s Association, visit alz.org.