PSD Foundation honors Ernie Bridges
LANCASTER — The Palmdale School District Foundation donated $11,128 to the City of Hope Antelope Valley Tuesday morning in honor of longtime Palmdale School District classified employee Ernie Bridges, who died last August from kidney cancer.
The foundation held a golf tournament fundraiser in Bridges’ memory on Nov. 12 at the Rancho Vista Golf Course. An estimated 105 golfers participated in the event, which was attended by 130 people.
This is the third year of the Palmdale School District Foundation’s existence. The foundation has been able to fundraise for different causes, such as new teachers and classroom projects.
“This particular fundraiser really has been one of those that’s near and dear to everyone’s heart because we know that many people suffer from cancer,” Palmdale School District Superintendent Raul Maldonado said.
Bridges, 58, worked for the Palmdale School District for 34 years. He also taught heating, ventilation and air conditioning at Antelope Valley College. He passed away on Aug. 18, 2018.
Maldonado thanked Palmdale School District trustee Nancy Smith and Jeff Brown, Bridge’s best friend, for organizing the golf tournament.
Smith said the tournament came together in about seven weeks.
“A lot of people who aren’t here worked very hard. Our praises go to them,” Brown said.
Melissa Nesmith, physician relations liaison for City of Hope Antelope Valley, said the money will stay in the Antelope Valley.
The money will be used in the infusion area for patient snacks and juices.
“We are trying to work out some form of transportation, put it towards that. It’s going to stay just to help the community,” Nesmith.
Margaret and Ernie Bridges were married for 31 years. She said her husband received treatment at the City of Hope in Duarte and through Kaiser Permanente.
“I just wanted to thank everyone for all of their help. It was a group effort in Ernie’s name. I think it’s a wonderful tribute to Ernie. He loved to golf, and so he would be very, very pleased,” Margaret said.
Brown, who knew Ernie from when they were six years old, described the golf tournament as a group effort from the Antelope Valley to the Antelope Valley.
Golf was Ernie’s passion, Margaret said.
“He loved to golf. He used to swear it did his body good. Like if his back was stiff (he’d say), ‘I need to go golf.’ That would loosen his back up. That was one of his main passions,” Margaret said.
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