BRIDGING KATRINA UPDATE
April 15, 2008

After the hurricanes of 2005 on the Gulf Coast, District 10 established a fund, the Rebuilding Bridge Fund (“RBF”),
to help rebuild bridge in the affected areas. The RBF was funded by contributions from individuals and bridge organizations
across the country, beginning with $20,000 donations each from District 7 and the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference. 
A total of $88,776.52 were contributed to the fund. As of April 15, 2008, $64,247.03 has been awarded in grants, mostly
to replace supplies, equipment, and temporary rental space for club games, leaving $24,529.49 undistributed.

Most bridge activities are now back to operating on a regular basis. However, it will take years to rebuild memberships
back to pre-Katrina levels due to the loss of players that were permanently displaced to other areas of the country. The
Louisiana Gulf Coast (including New Orleans) bridge clubs, units and teachers, are now generally self-sufficient, and
their requests for grants has diminished greatly. The Mississippi Gulf Coast Unit has yet to rebuild its clubhouse, which
was reduced to a concrete slab by the storms. It is anticipated that most of the remaining funds will be used toward that effort.

All inquiries regarding the RBF should be directed to Chuck Wilkinson, Chairman of the RBF Fund (cwilkin@aol.com).