April was National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize the people who quietly, consistently, and generously give their time to strengthen our communities. At Wesley, we are fortunate to have volunteers whose impact reaches far beyond what can be measured. Don and Jennifer are two of those people.
Their story is not just about volunteering; it’s about a lifelong commitment to service, a shared set of values, and the belief that even small acts can create meaningful change.
A Shared Commitment to Giving Back
For both Don Bridgman and Jennifer Wilson-Bridgman, volunteering isn’t something they stumbled into; it’s something that has shaped their lives from the very beginning.
Don grew up watching service in action. From family members involved in mission work around the world to a mother who was always helping in the community, giving back was simply part of life. Jennifer’s upbringing was similar. As the daughter of a missionary, she witnessed poverty firsthand while living in Korea and developed a deep-rooted commitment to helping others.
Together, they’ve built a life grounded in gratitude and purpose.
“We have so much,” Don reflects. “You look at what’s happening around the world, and it just reinforces that need to give back.”
For Jennifer, volunteering connects deeply to who she is:
“For me, my love language is acts of service. Being able to provide support for others makes me feel very purposeful.”
Don: Bringing People Together to Make a Bigger Impact
Don’s approach to volunteering is rooted in one powerful idea: leverage. Not in the financial sense, but in the ability to bring people together to create something bigger than any one person could do alone.
That mindset has guided decades of community involvement. From organizing large-scale fundraising events in high school to running countless charity golf tournaments, Don has always focused on mobilizing others and building momentum.
One early example? A student-led telethon that didn’t just meet its goal; they doubled it! By rallying his peers and engaging the entire school, they raised enough money to purchase not one, but two fully equipped vans for a local charity.
That same energy continues today through his involvement with Wesley’s golf tournament. What started off as offering advice to a friend on the Golf Committee quickly turned into years of leadership, relationship-building, and hands-on fundraising support. Now, after more than 20 years on the committee, Don continues to bring fresh ideas forward each year, helping the Wesley Open grow and succeed. From big-picture strategy to the smallest logistical details, his experience ensures the event runs seamlessly.
“Rather than just doing something yourself, you get a lot of people involved and it builds momentum.”
Beyond events, Don also brings a unique perspective from his professional background. As a financial advisor, he has long encouraged more open conversations around philanthropy, helping others understand how they can give back in ways that align with their values, even if they’re not sure where to start. Through initiatives like Doing Well by Doing Good, he has worked to educate advisors on how to incorporate charitable giving into conversations with clients, something that is often overlooked, but can have a lasting impact.
While he acknowledges that sometimes it can be difficult to carve out time or energy to give back, Don is quick to point out that the impact goes both ways.
“You hear people say the good you put into the world comes back to you, and it sounds like a cliché, but it’s true. Numbers don’t lie.”
For Don, that belief has been proven time and time again; through the people he’s brought together, the causes he’s been able to support, and the lasting impact of showing up and inviting others to do the same.
Jennifer: Healing Through Creativity
An artist, educator, and lifelong learner, Jennifer found her way to Wesley through her creativity. What began as donating commissioned artwork to support fundraising efforts soon grew into something much deeper.
Her path has always been rooted in helping others. Jennifer spent 12 years with the Hamilton Board of Education as a teacher and consultant, later earning her PhD and becoming a tenured professor for nine years. She also carried forward her family’s legacy of service by leading her father’s Christian humanitarian organization, supporting children and communities in need.
But it was a life-altering car accident that ultimately reshaped how she would give back. During a seemingly endless recovery from a traumatic brain injury, Jennifer faced uncertainty about her future.
“I thought, this is the end. I’m never going to be able to work again. I’m not going to be able to contribute in any way.”
Instead, that experience became a turning point. Through her own healing journey, Jennifer began exploring art as a form of therapy and was eventually asked by her occupational therapist to work with others who had experienced similar injuries. What started as a deeply personal practice evolved into a powerful way to help others move forward in their own recovery.
Today, Jennifer leads art programs both at Wesley and in her home studio, offering what she calls “art as therapy.” Her sessions aren’t focused on technical skills, they’re about creating space for calm, reflection, and connection. In addition, she offers commissioned artwork and art instruction classes (jwb.art).
“If we can just take some deep breaths and enjoy the moment, we can find peace even in the chaos.”
In her work with Wesley’s Special Care Unit, participants come and go, often unsure of themselves at first, having never had the opportunity to create art in any form. But again and again, Jennifer sees transformation. People discover creativity they didn’t know they had, and moments of peace they may not have experienced before.
“If we can just, in the hour we have together, enjoy feeling the pen on the paper and find that sense of calm, it’s something they can return to when life feels overwhelming.”
Through simple, thoughtful projects, Jennifer helps participants see their own potential. Recently, the group even created a larger project that will hang in the hallway of the Special Care Unit as a reminder of their hard work and dedication to their own healing.
And for her, the impact is deeply meaningful.
“It’s because of my accident that I’m able to use my art to help others move forward. Something beautiful can come out of something really difficult.”
Even if only one person attends a session, she knows it matters.
“For me to help that person feel loved and cared for in that moment is a blessing.”
Different Paths, Shared Impact
Don and Jennifer’s volunteer work looks very different on the surface; one focused on large-scale fundraising and community mobilization, the other on quiet connections through art.
But at the core, they hold the same belief that everyone has something to give, desire to use their unique skills to help others, and commitment to making a difference, however they can
Their story is also a reminder that volunteering doesn’t have to fit a single mold. Whether it’s organizing events, creating art, sharing expertise, or simply showing up; there are countless ways to contribute.
The Power of Showing Up
One of the most powerful themes in Don and Jennifer’s journey is this: many people want to help; they just don’t know how.
Their advice? Start with what you have.
Use your skills. Follow what you care about. And don’t underestimate the impact of even the smallest effort.
Because as they’ve shown, when you give your time with intention and heart, the impact reaches further than you may ever see.
This Volunteer Month, we celebrate Don and Jennifer along with all the volunteers who make Wesley’s work possible. Thank you for showing up, for giving back, and for reminding us what community truly looks like.
