RIDGEWOOD, N.J., June 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ridgewood resident David F. Bolger, business leader and well-known community philanthropist, has pledged an historic charitable contribution to The Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. The gift of $30 million, to assist Valley with the evolution of its main campus, is thought to be the largest single donation to a hospital in New Jersey.
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"I made this gift to Valley because I want my giving to do the most good for the most people in our community. By making this gift, I hope to make a difference by enhancing the quality of life for all our citizens, regardless of race, religion, gender or social standing," commented Mr. Bolger.
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Audrey Meyers, President and CEO of The Valley Hospital and Valley Health System said, "Words cannot express how deeply appreciative we are of David's extraordinary gift. Future generations will benefit from his incredible generosity."
David F. Bolger is President of Bolger & Co. Inc., a real estate and investment firm located in Ridgewood, NJ, with real estate holdings throughout the United States. He also serves as President of The Bolger Foundation. Mr. Bolger worked his way through college in the steel mills of Pittsburgh, PA. That experience shaped his commitment to helping others in a variety of ways. He has supported numerous worthy organizations in support of healthcare, disadvantaged youth, churches, senior citizens, mental health programs, conservation activities, and improving educational opportunities.
He has made leadership gifts to numerous organizations, including The Valley Hospital, to which he gave the lead gift for the expansion of the Emergency Department and the Pediatric Emergency Room. Mr. Bolger also recently made a contribution to The Valley Hospital to purchase a portable CT Scanner. Valley will be the first hospital in the state of New Jersey to have this state-of-the-art equipment.
Mr. Bolger has also been a major supporter of West Bergen Mental Healthcare; the Ridgewood, Glen Rock, and Midland Park Libraries; Christian Health Care Center; Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Center; Holland Christian Home; The Children's Therapy Center of Fair Lawn; William Paterson University School of Nursing; Northfield Mount Hermon School in Mount Hermon, MA; Bethany Christian Services; the Bergen County Chapter of Community Blood Center Services; The YMCA of Ridgewood; and In Stride Therapy in Sarasota, FL.
An avid conservationist, Mr. Bolger's most recent project was the remodeling of The Barn in Midland Park, NJ, an eco-friendly "green" community center for youth and senior citizens. He has provided support to diverse conservation projects, including the preservation of 3,000 green acres property in the Sussex Woodlands, Sussex County, NJ.
He also spearheaded the moving and remodeling of The Lester Stable in Ridgewood and initiated the updating of the School House Museum in Ridgewood. He took leadership for the upgrading of the Ridgewood Post Office, as he provided new landscaping, sidewalks, restoration of the eagle above the main entrance, and the installation of the J. Seward Johnson sculpture "The Postman" on Ridgewood Avenue. Mr. Bolger also funded the installation of 14 flagpoles in the Village of Ridgewood.
He is Trustee Emeritus of the Kessler Foundation, an Honorary Trustee for Children's Aid and Family Services of New Jersey, President of The Marion and Silfred DePhillips Foundation, and Trustee of the Wells Mountain Foundation.
Mr. Bolger is the father of three children and has four grandchildren.
SOURCE The Valley Hospital
