Giving Credit Valley Bridge Association Credit During a Pandemic

March 14^th, 2020 and our world changed.  The Nation Wide shut down due to Covid 19, closed our clubs and changed how bridge enthusiasts would connect for the game they love.  Within a month, through the hard work of ACBL (American Contract Bridge League) in conjunction with BBO, (BridgeBaseOnline), a new style of playing emerged. Credit Valley Bridge Directors, with the invaluable support and guidance of ACBL Tournament Director, Nancy Strachan, launched our first Virtual Club Game on April 18^th with over 40 first timers on BBO.

Our three Credit Valley Bridge Clubs, Brampton B.C., Marilyn’s B.C. and Thistle B.C. attract players from Orangeville, Bolton, Brampton, Georgetown, Caledon and areas in between.  Since our physical clubs were closed, we joined forces to offer online duplicate bridge, under the new Credit Valley Virtual Club.  With no rent to pay, no overhead costs to defray, we could offer our games to our members at a reduced fee and still have money to spare.  As Directors, we agreed to take no compensation for running our games.  Instead, we would set aside our funds to support our frontline health care workers at the two main hospitals that serve our communities and our players:

 Wm . Osler Health Centre—Brampton Civic 

Headwaters Health Centre, Orangeville      

From April to the end of September, we, the players of the Credit Valley Virtual Club, have raised $10 000!

On Tuesday, October13th, we presented a cheque in the amount of $5 000.00 to the Brampton Civic Health Care Heroes and we are more than pleased to announce that our donation has been matched generously by the Armour Insurance Brokers. 

On Monday, October 26^th, we presented a cheque in the amount of $5 000.00 to the Headwaters Health Centre, Covid-19 Response Fund.  The picture below was taken in the Friendship Garden outside the hospital, a quiet spot of reflection for the patients, family members and staff.