A retired attorney, cancer survivor and bridge player from Detroit, Allan Tushman, was reading the online Daily Bulletins from the NABC in San Diego. He noticed a short blurb suggesting sponsoring events for Reno with the name of the contact person.  He didn’t think much about it at the time.  A few days later he was thinking about Jon Coffee and it occurred to him that sponsoring an event in Reno would be a nice tribute to him.  Although Jon was not a personal friend, Allan loved to chat with him at the Michigan Bridge Connection and found it a delight to play against him.  Allan felt that if more people were like Jon it would be much more enjoyable playing bridge. In addition, a couple of years ago when Allan found out about Jon’s cancer diagnosis he really felt connected since he is a 3-time survivor. Allan admired his battle and was also very impressed about his friendships with people especially when fellow Michigan bridge player, Brenda Jaffe, flew to Scottsdale a couple of months ago to say good bye when Jon clearly was approaching the end.

      In any event, he mentioned his idea to Brenda and she thought it was terrific and said she would help back it and find other backers.  Renay  Weiner got on board to offer his many friends in Scottsdale the opportunity to be part of this tribute.  47 pledges later, Allan sent a check to the ACBL and the rest is history. The “friends of Jon Coffee” had sponsored the Jon Coffee Memorial KO at the NABC in Reno, a two-day 4 session KO on Tuesday/Wednesday, March 16 and 17. 

    Barb Bunnell, vice president of Unit 354, co-editor of Shuffle Deal & Play and active in management of unit tournaments, has been named to the national, ACBL Goodwill Committee.  The Goodwill Committee which includes a number of past presidents of Unit 354 is a prestigious ACBL panel which aims to promote the game and foster good play at clubs and tournaments across the country.   Barb’s appointment to the committee was made last week by National ACBL President Jerry Fleming, of Los Alamos, N.M. during the District 17 board meeting in Ruidoso, N.M.  

    “Barb Bunnell from Phoenix has been a very active behind the scenes volunteer for the Phoenix unit,” wrote Fleming in a message announcing her appointment.    Beside serving as editor and heading up production for the unit newsletter, Shuffle Deal & Play, she has been responsible for production of unit fliers, has served as webmaster “and was responsible for the daily bulletins at the August Phoenix Regional.”    Janet Newman, president of Unit 354, lauded Barb for her tireless work on behalf of unit programs.  “Every bit of this award is well deserved,” said Janet.

     Fleming also announced in Ruidoso that he has named Chris and Judy McNaughton as members of the national ACBL Charity Committee in recognition of their work for the recent Horn O Plenty Food Drive which netted a record $4,300 for the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance of Phoenix.

Phoenix Bridge Players Give Generously: $4,062 + 400 Pounds for Food Bank

    In a charity milestone coming at a time when Arizona is reeling from the recession, Phoenix bridge players have opened their wallets to contribute a record $4,062 in cash donations plus more than 400 pounds of grocery products to the St. Mary's Food Bank.    The fund-raising campaign which picked up steam in late August coincided with the annual Horn O' Plenty Sectional  held in Scottsdale at the Doubletree Hotel Oct. 2-4.

    “I want you to know that this contribution is more than we ever dreamed of receiving from the bridge community, surpassing the $500 given last year,” declared Pat Fehlhaber, association development officer of the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in accepting the donations” noting also the donations will help pay for 28,000 meals to Phoenix recipients

    Presenting the check to Fehlhaber were Chris and Judy McNaughton, Scottsdale players and chair couple of the Horn O' Plenty Food Drive, who made a $1,000 matching pledge in addition to soliciting funds and donations.   All of that was coupled with the club owners providing space for canned good donations and making ongoing appeals to the players.

   “I think Valley bridge players have demonstrated through their generosity that they understand the personal financial crises many of the unemployed residents of our city are enduring,” said Janet Newman, Unit 354 president.    The owners and the players who patronize the clubs “deserve to be recognized as real heroes for coming up with cash and contributions of canned goods so urgently needed at this critical time,” said Newman.     She pointed out  that St. Mary’s is just one of several food charities in the city which have witnessed bare cupboards and a steep decline in donations as the agencies strive to provide for those out of work and out of luck residents facing a bleak holiday season.

     “The McNaughtons deserve our undying gratitude for stepping up to the plate in this fashion,” said Newman.

       Heading up the charity drive for the unit was retiring board member Page Tomkinson of Scottsdale who  recruited the McNaughtons because of their civic work.

         Chris McNaughton has had experience in the food handling area having retired years ago as executive vice president and general counsel of Kellogg’s in Battle Creek, Mich.

        “The poor, the homeless and the jobless numbers in Phoenix are huge,” McNaughton told tournament players assuring them their contributions are directed to St. Mary’s “which has a wonderful mission.” 

          East-side Phoenix clubs made up the bulk of the cash contributions with DotyBridge collecting $1,540, AZ BridgeWorks adding $790 and Black Mountain Bridge Club players donating $200. In addition, $332 was collected at the tournament.  The other funds came from the McNaughtons' $1,000 matching grant and additional $250 in matching funds from an anonymous contributor.

St. Mary’s Food Bank Says Thanks to Bridge Players

     Though an executive from St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance spoke at the Horn O Plenty Sectional over the weekend, Unit 354 heard directly from the official, Pat Fehlhaber, this week expressing thanks to Unit 354 players for their generosity. She also suggested that individual letters might be going out to recipients.     Fehlhaber, who is association development officer, wrote: “thank you so much for American Contract Bridge League’s Unit 354’s  donation of $4077 to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.   For every $1 donation, we can provide food for 7 meals.  You helped provide 28,539 meals for those less fortunate in our community!

   “With rising food prices and a fluctuating economy, many people who can not make ends meet, are using the food bank.   Food prices have increased at the fastest rate since 1990.  Those living below the federal poverty level are no longer the only ones feeling the pinch at the checkout line as prices for milk, eggs, bread, and produce continue to increase,” she wrote.     Considering the current economic climate, “some of those who have donated in the past are now using our services,” she continued. “Emergency food boxes have increased over 70% since January. Thank you again for your compassionate heart!  You are making a difference!”

 Remembering  Jim Cox…

           The Valley’s bridge community lost a friend and champion, James Cox. 

         Jim, 68, was a fixture at bridge tournaments across the West and a club owner himself for 15 years.  For decades he was a mentor to hundreds of players, a teacher to thousands and he has left a legacy of upholding decency and value to a pastime he loved.

         Jim, who had been in ill health in recent years, had only last Sunday appeared at the Desert Empire Regional tournament in Phoenix, though he did not play as was his usual custom.  But he always enjoyed the kibitzing and congeniality of the game. 

         The owner of the old and popular Bridge Center on Camelback in central Phoenix for many years, Jim also helped found AZ BridgeWorks in Scottsdale, joining owner Joy Balser in building a successful club where he directed for several years. 

         He later decided to retire from active management, but would visit the club daily.  After pouring himself a cup of coffee, he would sit in his favorite chair and begin work on the day's crossword puzzle.

        "Any number of directors in the Valley owe him a debt for the time he spent training and mentoring," said Joy.  "If he didn’t have an immediate answer to your question, he’d look up the answer or consult with other directors, most often Gary Zeiger, and you’d hear back."

        Both Unit 354 and AZ BridgeWorks will be scheduling memorial games.  Details will be announced when finalized.  The family requests that any donations be directed to Logan's Playground, a non-profit camp in Prescott for children who are HIV positive.

      Please see the September Shuffle, Deal and Play for tributes to Jim.

Two Unit 354 Board Members Add Heft

   Unit 354 has new talent on its board of directors.

   One is Harriett Motley of Phoenix who brings years of experience as a director in West Valley clubs and just this month was elected national treasurer of the American Bridge Association at its big tournament in Memphis.

     Our congratulations go out to Harriet on this special and distinguished honor.   She previously served as the ABA”s National Tournament Director for 28 years and is  past president of Valley of Sun Bridge Club.  She is a retired computer systems analyst and a tax specialist.   She has long been involved in director duties  at the LakeView Club and Valley of the Sun which meets at the Peoria Community Center. 

     In addition to Harriett,  Unit 354 is lucky to have available the talents of Alice Pierce of Scottsdale who was appointed to the board in July.      Alice is a Bronze Life Master who handles director duties at AzBridgeWorks in Scottsdale and is a certified Audrey Grant teacher.

     Alice replaces the retiring Robert Welch of Phoenix, long-time director who has served the unit for years in a variety of capacities including Membership and Distribution Chairman.  The board extends its thanks to Bob for all his service and a job well done.

     Alice is a former teacher who has taught at all levels, including junior college.  She also has co-authored a text on teaching in the workplace and until moving to Arizona was formerly active in Illinois political campaigns.

Brand new spiral bound Membership Directories are now available
at your local clubs for just $1!  

Containing updated information on the 2,600+ members from Units 354 and 351 (Mesa area) along with a list of all the area clubs, upcoming tournaments and other useful information, they're going fast! Purchase your personal copy today.  In fact, why not get two - one for home and a second for your car?

Last updated January 24 2010