A new unrestricted fund has been created at the Scott County Community Foundation (“SCCF”) to support the community that has given so generously over the years. The Patricia E. Bridge Community Fund will provide support to nonprofits and schools each year during SCCF’s Community Grants Program.
Patricia “Pat” Bridge grew up in Johnson Township, the daughter of Laurence and Myrtle Bridge. Pat remembers taking a pony and cart to meet the school bus to Deputy. Her parents were farmers and active in the community through the Pisgah Methodist Church. Myrtle was a charter member of the Scott Memorial Hospital Guild and Laurence was a committee member for the Agriculture Stabilization Office. Their values of working hard, being honest and family-oriented were passed down to their daughter.
Pat graduated from Scottsburg High School and began working for Scott County Schools in the superintendent’s office before the school split into two districts. She then worked for Scott County School District 2, retiring after 20 years of service to the schools. Pat has one daughter, Pam Mosley, four grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.
After working real estate for a few years, Pat became a small business owner. She started working in insurance through AFLAC 45 years ago. After working out of her home and taking calls at all hours of the night, she decided it was best to open her own office.
A self-described people person, Pat is happiest when she is talking with people. Whether that is playing cards with friends, watching her grandkids at sporting events, or just being out and about, she finds joy in being around others.
About 16 years ago, Pat established an unrestricted fund in memory of her parents, the Laurence and Myrtle Bridge Memorial Fund. She shared at that time that she liked the concept of an unrestricted gift, where the Board would decide where the money is best needed. She was also able to participate in a donation match offered by the Foundation. Since then, thousands of dollars have been awarded to the community over the years for important causes such as the Scott County Clearinghouse and Dolly Parton Imagination Library from her parents’ memorial fund.
A couple years later, Pat joined the Board of Directors at the Scott County Community Foundation. She continued to learn about the way the Community Foundation can assist donors in their charitable giving. As a faithful supporter over the years, she decided recently to create another permanent unrestricted fund, the Patricia E. Bridge Community Fund. She shared that in her interactions with so many people and companies over the years, she has learned of so much need in the community. By creating these unrestricted funds, she has fulfilled her goal of giving back to the community that has given so generously to her over the years.
“The Community Foundation helps where help is really needed,” shared Pat. “I think that’s really important, and the money is used wisely.”
This time she was able to take advantage of a matching grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., earning $2 for every $1 donated, and thereby tripling the impact in our community.
“I think it’s wonderful that Pat is able to see the effects of her giving during her lifetime,” shared Community Foundation Executive Director Jaime Toppe. “The needs are great in our community, and Pat’s generosity allows us to close that gap.”
For more information on the Scott County Community Foundation, you may call 812-752-2057, email info@scottcountyfoundation.org, or stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg. You can also donate online to the Patricia E. Bridge Community Fund by visiting www.scottcountyfoundation.org.
