Alzheimer’s affects millions around the world and it is only getting worse. To help battle Alzheimer’s and other related dementia, groups around the country host fundraisers called, “The Longest Day.” Locally, Newtown Bridge Club (NBC) hosted its ninth annual The Longest Day fundraiser on June 17.

The event is planned and titled as The Longest Day to symbolize the long fight ahead of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. NBC Assistant Club Manager Linda Dale Mulholland shared it was her grandmother who had dementia “which is what made me want to do this initially. I had another friend that has since passed that had a form of dementia. People are very generous because their lives have been affected by this.”

Along with the bridge tournament, the event held Scrabble games for all levels of players. Cornelia Guest, the head of the Scrabble division within the fundraiser, was also affected by a family member’s battle with the disease.

“My mother-in-law died from Alzheimer’s, and it’s certainly a disease that affects everyone, not just those who have it,” Guest said. “I was really happy that the Newtown Bridge Club allowed us to run the Scrabble tournament. It’s the fifth year we’ve run it, and without them it wouldn’t happen.”

There were four divisions, one for newer or younger players, while the other three were for more experienced and older players. The youngest player this year was in second grade, and he won third place.

Steve Shomstein and Elizabeth Yohan, who have been playing bridge for 15 years and joined Newtown Bridge Club in 2014, shared their experience.

“We love playing bridge! This event is so great, and the directors are outstanding. It is incredibly well run.”

Newtown Bridge Club holds lessons year-round, on multiple weekdays, to encourage new players.

The fundraiser took place at Edmond Town Hall. It started at 10 am and continued until 5 pm. Experienced bridge players played upstairs in the Alexandria Room, while those who wanted to learn more and play Scrabble were downstairs in the gymnasium. Over 40 tables hosted groups of people, and the gym was full of eager players.

This was the second year the club directors held a silent action, which Mulholland said was a great way to raise additional money and bring the community together.

The donations from bridge players raised $17,449. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association through Newtown Bridge Club are still being accepted through August.

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Leah Laughlin is a rising senior at Newtown High School interning with The Newtown Bee this summer. She can be reached at intern@thebee.com.