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On Saturday, July 27, the Abilene American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) and the Eisenhower Foundation partnered to organize the 6th Annual Dwight D. Eisenhower Bridge Benefit. The game and additional donations raised more than $2,000 to benefit the Eisenhower Foundation’s K-12 program IKEducation that provides activities and classroom programs to school groups free of charge visiting the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum, and Boyhood Home. “The Bridge Benefit has become a lively tradition that presents an entertaining way to connect with the community and an impactful way to benefit our 100% donor-funded IKEducation programs,” said Meredith Sleichter, Executive Director.

This year, 108 people played bridge in the beautiful Eisenhower Presidential Library Courtyard. The benefit was created to promote the extraordinary legacy of Dwight D. Eisenhower, who earned the unofficial nickname of “Bridge Player in Chief” and “The Patron President of Bridge Players” over the 56 years he played the game.

“Our mission for IKEducation is to engage and teach future generations through educational experiences. Our Kids Bridge event is a fun way to do that and carry on Ike’s love of the game,” said IKEducation Director Mitzi Gose. For three days before the event, the Abilene ACBL group taught a group of young students from Abilene how to play the basics of cards. Nine kids from grades 4th through 9th attended Bridge Camp, a free educational event.

The Abilene ACBL and the Eisenhower Foundation are thrilled this has become an annual tradition and look forward to awarding the Dwight D. Eisenhower Bridge Benefit traveling trophy to the winning team next summer — Saturday, July 25, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the Eisenhower Presidential Library Courtyard.