Marathon Bridge Club Welcomes New Members This Fall
Published Monday, September 22, 2025
From (L-R) Marathon Bridge Club members Joanne Tulloch, Jane Chapman, Leslie Savitsky, and Rosemarie Hakansson, inviting new members to join this fall season.
Around kitchen tables and card tables across Thunder Bay, the Marathon Bridge Club has been dealing hands and making a difference for nearly 50 years.
The club began as a fun social marathon and fundraiser for the Ladies Auxiliary to Port Arthur General Hospital. Over time, it evolved into a cherished tradition supporting the Volunteer Association of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Since 1995, members have raised more than $40,000 in support of patient care. Last year, their contributions were included in funding for projects such as a pharmacy-grade refrigerator for the Renal and Critical Support Department, the patients' clothing cupboard, Family CARE Grants and Education Bursaries.
Many Marathon Bridge Club members have been playing together for more than 20 years. Each season, pairs commit to playing 20 hands once a month, rotating opponents and hosting duties in one another's homes. Matches are scheduled at the convenience of players, whether mornings, afternoons, or evenings.
“We've been playing together for decades, and some of our members have been with us for more than 20 years,” says convener Jane Chapman, who has led the club since 1995 with co-convener Joanne Tulloch, who took on the role in 2008. “It's about more than the game—it's about friendship, laughter, and knowing our efforts support patients and families in our community.”
Registration Now Open
The Marathon Bridge Club is welcoming new members for its upcoming season, which runs from October through April. Registration is $40 per person, with a charitable donation receipt provided. Players must sign up as a team of two, though spares are welcome if one partner cannot attend a game. While the club has traditionally been made up of women, men are also encouraged to join.
The season concludes with a year-end luncheon and bridge in May, when prizes are awarded and members gather to celebrate the season's play.
The registration deadline is Saturday, September 27.
To register or learn more, contact: Jane Chapman at 807-344-2901 or Joanne Tulloch at 807-767-3862.
Join the Marathon Bridge Club this fall—where every hand played helps support patient care.