The ACBL Charity Committee, linked to the ACBL Charity Foundation, is a key group of volunteers appointed by District Directors to promote bridge charity events and support community causes, raising funds through club and tournament games for non-bridge 501(c)(3) charities, with grants distributed to districts and local groups, plus disaster relief. These members, often lifetime appointees, receive special pins and work with the Foundation to improve local quality of life, managing funds and assessing community needs.
How it Works
Membership: Each of the 25 ACBL districts appoints two members to the National Charity Committee for lifetime terms, promoting charity games within their area.
Funding Source: Money comes from special charity games at local clubs, district events, and national tournaments (NABCs).
Grant Distribution: The ACBL Charity Foundation gives grants to districts and NABC committees, who then select local, non-bridge charities (e.g., food banks, therapy centers, autism foundations).
Disaster Relief: The Foundation also provides emergency grants for communities affected by disasters, like hurricanes.
Key Roles
Promotion: Committee members encourage participation in charity games.
Community Support: They help identify and fund local charitable needs through grants.
Goodwill: The committee embodies the ACBL's commitment to giving back to communities where bridge players live.
In Summary
The ACBL Charity Committee and Foundation serve as a bridge between the bridge-playing community and local charitable efforts, turning the game into a force for good in communities across North America.
Suggestions can be submitted to D8's president.
2026 Karon Fox, Jacksonville IL
Anne Wildrick, Jacksonville IL
2025 VACANT
2024 VACANT
2023 VACANT
2022 Mary Sievers, Champaign IL
Becky Lagouros, Peoria Heights IL
2021 Lori Moore, Bloomington IL
Leonard Kaufman, Peoria IL
2020 VACANT
2019 Wesley Seitz, Champaign IL
Camilla Rabjohns, Peoria IL
2018 Donna Kaufman, Peoria IL
2017 Charles Young, Peoria IL
Marilyn Croft, St Charles IL
2016 Marcia Meyer, Long Beach IN
Kimberly Grant, Fort Wayne IN
2015 William Searcy, Elkhart IN
Ron Sholes, Springfield IL
2014 Charles Starovasnik, Ballwin MO
Barbara Reid, Ballwin MO
2013 Steve Reiss, St. Louis MO
Amy Stabenow, St. Louis MO
2012 *Bernard Riley, Pekin IL
2011 John Pree, St Charles IL
Mary Lattan Shaw, Carlinville IL
2010 Donna Pedrotti, Maryland Hts MO
Christopher Shaw, Carlinville IL
2009 Debra Romero, Clarkson Valley MO
Rajahneen Dencker, Lake in the Hills IL
2008 *Phyllis Rahn, Dunlap IL
*Suzi Shymanski Moore, Ballwin MO
2007 Karl Dencker, Lake in the Hills IL
Jennifer Luner, Saint Louis MO
2006 Glenn Overby II, Tilton IL
Charles Ries, St Louis MO
2005 Mike Tomlianovich, Bloomington, IL
Michael Carmen, St. Louis, MO
2004 *Robert Carteaux, Fort Wayne, IN
*Thelma Cheneler, Peoria, IL
2003 *Bruce Gardner, Paducah, KY
Karen Walker, Champaign, IL
2002 Georgia Heth, Morton IL
2001 VACANT
2000 VACANT
1999 VACANT
1998 *Glenn Smith, Chesterfield MO
1997 VACANT
1996 VACANT
1995 VACANT
1994 John D. Burgener, Noble, IL
Suzanne K. Dunn, Crystal Lake, IL
1993 Dr. Warren Tatting, Peoria, IL
Jacqueline Tatting, Peoria, IL
1992 Mrs. Rose Heth, Morton, IL
Mr. Frank Yoder, Fort Wayne, IN
1991 Mrs. Maxi Fitzjarrald, Arthur, IL
Mrs. Patricia Bolz, Rockford, IL
1990 Mrs. David (Judy) Cotterman, Kokomo, IN
Mr. Sharad Chitgopekar, Bloomington, IL
1989 Mrs. Edgar (Joyce) Fetterer, Hobart, IN
Homer Shoop, N. Webster, IN
1988 Mrs. Annabelle Stainbeck, Kuttawa, KY
*Mrs. Mary Adrignola, St. Louis, MO
1987 Pearl Harris, Towanda, IL
Richard Garab, Fort Wayne, IN
1986 Paul Mercurio, Maryland Heights, MO
Mrs. Ray (Lynn) Decker, Bartonville, IL
1985 Mrs. Mary Beach, Paducah, KY
Mrs. Gena Hartlieb, Rockford, IL
1984 Thomas Fenton, Webanon, IL
Mrs. Leigh (Grace) Grant, Griffith, IN
1983 Mrs. Carolyn Buechler, South Bend, IN
Mrs. Wayne (Sylvia) Lowry, Springfield, IL
1982 Mr. Robert Lutz, Wabash, IN
Mrs. Bonnie Pacetti, Elgin, IL
1981 Mrs. Robert Ryan, East Peoria, IL
Herman Bud, Beverly Shores, IN
1980 William Laven, Rockford, IL
*Mrs. R.P. (Phylis) Rahn, Dunlap, IL
1979 Margaret DeMent, Hutsonville, IL
Mrs. Jerry Schildroth, Warsau, IN
1978 Mrs. Elmer (Ruth) Novak, Salem, IL
Mrs. C. A. (Shirley) Bartol, Warsaw, IN
1977 Ray Gilbert, Fort Wayne, IN
Gwyn Dickerson, Peoria, IL
1976 Mrs. Roy Dalziel, Rockford, IL
Dr. Al J. Stenner, St. Louis, MO
1975 Mrs. William A. Feiler, Paducah, KY
N.J. Mosely, Champaign, IL
1974 Mrs. Maryella Gerard, Warsaw, IN
Richard Edwards, Sr., St. Louis, MO
1973 Mrs. James Schaedel, Macomb, IL
S. Ronald Henbest, Rockford, IL
1972 Mrs. James Schaedel, Macomb, IL
Wayne K. Morris, Mt. Carmel, IL
1971 Mrs. Doris McAnulty, St. Louis, MO
John Tryon, Fort Wayne, IN
1970 Mrs. A.W. Bree, Lincoln, IL
Harry Denzel, Carbondale, IL
1969 Mrs. Walter E. Krahl, St. Louis, MO
Wayne Gray, Decatur, IL
1968 Mrs. M.C. Ballard, Belleville, IL
Lloyd King, South Bend, IN
1967 Mrs. George Crounse, Paducah, KY
W.H. Ebersole, Kokomo, IN
1966 Mrs. Earl Barton, Atlanta, GA
J.E. Clinkenbeard, Knoxville, TN
1965 Mrs. H.F. Jones, Atlanta, GA
Fred L. Levy, Montgomery, AL
1964 Mrs. Helene Phillips, Augusta, GA
Clyde Burgess, Chattanooga, TN
1963 Mrs. Helen Clinkenbeard, Knoxville, TN
Sidney M. Smith, Atlanta, GA
1962 Mrs. Donald Beard, Atlanta, GA
Joel Caller, Knoxville, TN
1961 Mrs. M.L. Brickey, Knoxville, TN
James McKenzie, Chattanooga, TN
1960 Mrs. Margaret Wagar, Atlanta, GA
Dr. C.J. Burnham, Birmingham, AL
Additional members
Mary Lattan Shaw, Carlinville IL;
Howard Piltch, South Bend IN