Guild bridge tournament celebrates its 44th year
Published 4:15 pm Wednesday, May 27, 2015
For the Reporter
A field of 48 bridge players recently celebrated the 44 years members and friends of Auburn’s Dr. F.D. Merritt Guild have competed to raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospital.
The luncheon celebration was at the Rio Verde Clubhouse on May 14. This year’s tournament raised more than $2,000.
“Of course, in 1971 it was Children’s Orthopedic Hospital, and we hoped to make $60,” said Fran Calkins, one of several players who has participated in every one of the tournaments for 44 years.
“Today, we are a small group of mostly old ladies who work hard to make children live better lives,” she added.
Calkins is a winner of the Anna Clise Award, the highest honor given to a guild member for their volunteer work. In 2004, the guild received the guild association’s Chairman Award.
While the tournament is their major fundraiser, the guild – made up of mostly 80 and 90 year olds – also hangs Purchase a Miracle tags at local grocery stores, sells calendars and brooms and actively supports the Kent Bargain Boutique, where Calkins volunteers every Wednesday.
The guild, founded in 1948, has one charter member, Ruth Leslie, 97, who played in the tournament every year until her eyesight made it impossible.
“We may be small, but I am proud to say it would be hard to find a guild more dedicated,” said Guild President Debbie Maguire. “These amazing women, I am so privileged to know and learn from, have met once a month for 67 years. Their love of children and Children’s (Hospital) have never waned and never will.”
