| Our Board 2022/2023 |
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Hurd Baruch, Secretary-Treasurer; Ruth Houkom, President; Kathy Parker, Membership; Philip Lattavo, Charity Advisor
Card Dealers: Armin Cicala, Sam Sagi
Reservations: Doug Cain
Tournament Directors: Hurd Baruch, Bob Griffin, Ruth Houkom, Sam Sagi
Webmaster: Dick Bryant
2022 Year in Review
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| Our Board 9/20 to 12/21 |
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Education: Mike Smith/Jack Shoemaker
Board Members: Greg Dent - Operations, Ruth Houkom - President, Hurd Baruch - Secretary/Treasurer, Phil Lattavo - Charity, Kathy Parker-Membership
Tournament Directors: Kathy Klammer, Bob Griffin, Ruth Houkom, Jack Shoemaker, Mike Smith, Len Hall
Webmaster: Dick Bryant
2021 Year in Review
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| 4/20 Article in Bridge Bulletin |
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At Tucson Club, every month is charity month
By Jennifer Jacobs, Tucson Charity Bridge
Tucson Charity Bridge (aka "Streams") was established by its president, Ruth Houkom, in 2011to create a community of beginning and intermediate players, as well as to help the greater Tucson community by contributing to local charities.
Each month, a charity is nominated by a member. The charity usually receives about $3000 - a base of $2500 plus additional amounts based on how often each player plays. In December, we celebrated giving a total of more than $300,000 to charity over the past nine years.
A significant reason why the club has been able to put aside so much money for charity is that it is run by volunteers. Organizers and directors are unpaid, and players volunteer for kitchen duties, bring snacks, and help put away game equipment. The club's venue, Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, also contributes by offering us reduced rent. The club is nonprofit and takes donations.
In the past nine years, donations have been made to over 50 different charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warriors, Literacy Connects and the Humane Society.
The club offers limited games six days a week. There are about 200 regular players and about 250 occasional players.
Ruth is a powerhouse, keeping things together along with the other board members: Hurd Baruch, Kathy Parker, Robert Yanal, and Phil Lattavo. Ruth has been recognized for her work by an appointment to the ACBL Charity Committee.
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| Board 2017 |
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From Left: Phillip Lattavo (Charity Advisor), Bob Yanal (Webmaster),
Kathy Parker (Education Chair), Ruth Houkom (President), Hurd Baruch (Secretary/Treasurer)
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| 2016 Board & Donations |
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Back Row: Diana Galis, Reservations Chair; Hurd Baruch, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer; George Kersels, ACBL Liaison
Front Row: Patsy Fontaine, Charity Advisor; Ruth Houkom, President; Jim Kerr, outgoing Reservations Chair
Not Pictured: Judy Farris, Hospitality Chair until she moved in August.
2016 Year in Review.pdf
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| 2015 Board & Donations |
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Hurd Baruch, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer; Patsy Fontaine, Hospitality; Ruth Houkom, President;
DiAnn Plunkett, Charity Advisor; Jim Kerr, Reservations
2015 Donations to Charity.pdf
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| 2014 Board & Donations |
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Hurd Baruch, Corporate Secretary & Treasurer; Caron Weinstein, Ventana Hostess; Patsy Fontaine, Streams Hostess;
Ruth Houkom, President; DiAnn Plunkett, Charity Advisor
2014 Donations.pdf
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| 2013 Board |
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David Jaskar; Caron Weinstein, Charity Advisor; Ruth Houkom, President; Marty Zuckerman, Treasurer; Hurd Baruch, Corporate Secretary
2013 Year in Review.pdf
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| Patti Knight's Article in Daily Star |
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Hurd Baruch, Patsy Fontaine, Jim Kerr, DiAnn Plunkett, Ruth Houkom
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF SUCCESS?
Making people happy?
Helping people enjoy a game of bridge?
Donating thousands of dollars to charities that help others?
Ruth Houkom, had an idea that changed what bridge clubs can do.
Just 5 feet tall and with a heart of gold, this lady used these concepts and with the help of her friends made it all happen.
In January of 2011 Ruth formed a new bridge club and she called it the Tucson Charity Bridge Club. Its name indicates a mission, namely to assist Charities in the Tucson area by contributing a major share of the Club’s table fees. STREAMS in the Desert Lutheran Church, in Tucson, agreed to make its meeting hall available for weekly games for a small fee. The second mission was to create an atmosphere where less experienced players can learn both from instruction and from playing to readily earn master points. Game directors are assisted by members, volunteering to set up, and take down, the bridge tables, cards and bidding boxes. Members bring fresh vegetables, fruit, cheeses and cookies, while coffee and iced tea is provided by the Club without charge.
As it happened, the first game was played right after the tragic shooting rampage in Tucson that took the lives of 6 people, and seriously injured our House of Representatives member, Gabrielle Giffords, and several other people.
A beautiful 9-year-old girl by the name of Christina-Taylor Green was one of the people fatally injured. The Club donated our proceeds that month to the Christina-Taylor Green Fund, to help children in our community, in her memory.
The Tucson Charity Bridge Club owes its thanks and appreciation for the hospitality extended by Pastor Tom Dunham, and church volunteer Will Gokey, who keeps the premises clean. In appreciation, each year a significant donation is made to Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, in addition to the small monthly rental payment that Streams charges the Club. The startup costs, made by the Houkom’s, have been paid back.
New charities are chosen upon the recommendations of members and vetted by Mrs. DiAnn Plunkett, the Director of Charitable Contributions. The Board of Directors then passes on proposed organizations for the Bridge members to approve, thus giving all members the feeling of success.
Donations to the Charities have continued to grow as has the Club’s membership. The number of games offered, has increased. Some games are sponsored by the Club, under Mrs. Houkom’s ACBL sanction, and there are other games that are facilitated by experienced bridge instructors who operate games under their own ACBL sanction. The number of tables keeps increasing because of the relaxed atmosphere and the joy people get from giving to the various charities every month. The total donations to date are over $82,000.00
One of the essential tools for the Bridge Club is our website, www.bridgewebs.com/tucsoncharity. It facilitates learning by showing immediately after each game, what contracts can be made for each hand through good play against good defense and also showing how each pair actually did on the hand. Our online reservation system, allows a player to sign up with a partner or declare themselves available to be paired with another single player. This is very helpful in the winter months with the increasing number of players.
Thank You,
A friend of Bridge, Patti Knight
520-299-2900
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| 2012 Our Incorporation |
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Brian Gersten, Webmaster; Hurd Baruch, Corporate Secretary; Marty Zuckerman, Treasurer
Ruth Houkom, President; Caron Weinstein, Charity Advisor
2012 Year in Review.pdf
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| Tucson Charity Bridge. A History, 2011-2018 |
Ruth Houkom, after 3 years of play, recognized that there was a need for a bridge club in Tucson that had a mission to develop new and junior players, especially in an atmosphere that would not cause them to feel intimidated by Life Masters.
And so, in January 2011, she formed a new bridge club, the Tucson Charity Bridge Club. Its name also indicated a second mission, to assist charities in the Tucson area by contributing a major share of the Club’s table fees. Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church, on Pima just west of Craycroft, agreed to make its meeting hall available. The Club was incorporated in 2012, and in 2017 was granted 501(c)(3) status as a public charity. Donations to the Club are now tax deductible.
As it happened, the Club’s first game was played right after the tragic shooting rampage in Tucson that took the lives of 6 people, and seriously injured our Congressional Representative Gabrielle Giffords and several other people. A beautiful 9-year-old girl by the name of Christina-Taylor Green was one of the people fatally injured. We donated our proceeds that day to the Christina-Taylor Green Fund, to help children in our community, in her memory.
From that time on, the Club has made a monthly donation of all proceeds in excess of expenses (with only a small amount retained as savings). A list of these charities can be found under the “Charities” link. Charities are nominated by Club Members and are then vetted by the Club's Board.
A significant reason why the Club has been able to put aside so much money for charity is that it has no employees and, with rare exceptions, it has not had to pay anyone to direct its games. Board members are unpaid, and players volunteer for kitchen duties and to help putting away tables and chairs. Snacks are supplied by members.
Our games, and membership in our Club, are open to anyone during 2019 who has fewer than 1000 points, and during 2020 anyone who has 1100 points or fewer. To become a “Member,” a person need only play in one game sponsored by the Club. To become a “Regular Member,” entitling the person to vote, one need only play in 20 games sponsored by the Club in a twelve-month period.
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