Wyckoff Center Honors Foundation for 'Legacy of Service'

Information and photos submitted to Patch by the Christian Health Care Center.

Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff proudly honored David F. Bolger and the Bolger Foundation for their legacy of service, leadership, and commitment to the community on Thursday, September 12, at The Estate at Florentine Gardens, River Vale. 

400 people attended the event, which raised a record-breaking amount for the CHCC Foundation. The event Co-chairs included Audrey Meyers, President and CEO, Valley Health System and The Valley Hospital, and Thomas M. Wells, Esq., Senior Partner and CFO, Wells, Jaworski & Liebman, LLP.

CHCC honored Mr. Bolger and the Bolger Foundation with the creation of the David F. Bolger Award for Service and Leadership, and presented the inaugural honor to Mr. Bolger. Going forward, CHCC intends to honor other individuals or organizations with the David F. Bolger Award for Service and Leadership for outstanding contributions to the community.

“We were very excited to honor David Bolger with the inception of this award that bears the  Bolger name and look forward to continuing his legacy by honoring other deserving recipients in the future,” said Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO.

The evening culminated with a check presentation to CHCC for $1 million from The Bolger Trust to significantly expand the rehabilitation gymnasium in the David F. Bolger Post-acute CareUnit. In 2012, Mr. Bolger initiated a challenge grant to CHCC which was met and fulfilled culminating with the presentation of $1 million to CHCC during the evening’s program.  

“We are so thankful for this gift and the extreme generosity of Mr. Bolger,” said Mr. Struyk.“This gift will enable us to improve our services to those patients who receive care at our David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit.”

Other highlights of the evening included a special musical tribute featuring  jazz greats Warren Vache, Bucky Pizzarelli, Nicki Parrott, Steve Johns, Harry Allen, and Derek Smith, a special tribute video presentation to Mr. Bolger, and moving remarks by Ericka Joy, the daughter of a patient who benefited greatly from care he received at The David F. Bolger Post-acute Care Unit at CHCC following a serious motorcycle accident.

Mr. Bolger’s interest in quality of life issues, as well as the needs of children and senior citizens, led him to CHCC. For almost 25 years, Mr. Bolger and The Bolger Foundation have generously supported the Center in its ongoing commitment to expand services to fulfill our communities’ growing needs.

The proceeds of the event will be used to support the Center’s 2013 Annual Fund, which will be used for renovations and improvements within Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital.

“People in the community continue to make gifts to CHCC in honor of Mr. Bolger,” said Garret Dykhouse, Chairman of the CHCC Foundation Board of Trustees. 

“That is certainly a tribute to his philanthropy and the difference he has made to Christian Health Care Center. I know that David Bolger feels enormous gratitude and appreciation for those who are supporting Christian Health Care Center in his honor, especially knowing that it’s not just limited to one evening, but that those who wish to honor him are continuing to do so, even weeks after the event.”