- April 26, 2024
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Bridget Bergens, a health care practitioner with her own company, BWell LLC, said personality tests have shown her to be a “helper.” That seems accurate, because in her business, she coaches clients to lead healthier lives; and in her volunteer work, she organizes toy drives for needy children and fundraisers to fight cancer.
A recently completed, annual project was a holiday party where toys were collected. Each year, Bergens and the Ho Ho Ho Girls, 14 local women, arrange a party at Oceanside Country Club, and admission for the invited guests is an unwrapped toy. This year, there were 410 attendees, bringing about 2,000 toys, which were distributed to 20 different charities.
“They were very generous,” she said. “We were able to make a lot of children happy.”
They get lists of needed items from the charities so they can suggest what toys to donate.
MAKING STRIDES
Bergens’ mother died of breast cancer on New Year’s Day, 2010.
“It’s still hard,” she said. “When you go through that, it touches you.”
An event close to her heart is the Making Strides Walk to fight breast cancer. She arranges a team of walkers each year called the Feisty Fighters. Among the walkers is her best friend, who was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago and is now is a survivor.
Many people not touched by cancer join the walk to show their support.
“It’s an amazing event,” she said.
Bergens is the only representative on the Volusia/Flagler Board of the American Cancer Society. The regional office is located in Orlando.
She also helps coordinate the Relay for Life in Flagler County.
THE ARTS
Her volunteer work also includes arts and culture.
She’s on the board of the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens. She likes that OMAM offers grassroots programs for children and adults such as art classes and other offerings such as mindfulness meditation.
In her work, she has done studies on the brain and found that art awakens a part of the brain.
She’s also on the fundraising committee for Peabody Auditorium in Daytona Beach.
“Bridget goes out of her way to help people and make their lives better and she never wants any recognition.”
SUSAN PERSIS, city commissioner
“I’m from Louisiana, so I organized the Mardi Gras Ball,” she said.
She admires the Peabody because of its programs to expose all income levels of children to art. The culture of a community is important and improves overall well-being, she said.
“We all need art,” she said.
She believes her volunteer work was inspired by her parents, who were very generous. Giving back to the community leads to fulfillment and a sense of well-being, she said, and she benefits, as well.
“I live in the community, so it impacts my life as well,” she said.
Visit bwellbhealthy.com.
