[New post] Woodland City Council celebrates Yolo County Hero Paul Bridge
Gerardo Zavala posted: "After organizing the renovation of two Woodland homes – one for a blind woman with a fixed income and another for a widowed woman with years of deferred maintenance – Paul Bridge has been recognized as a hero by many in the community. In honor of "Extr" Daily Democrat
In honor of "Extra Mile Day" on Nov. 1, a day meant to recognize people fueling positive change in the community, the Woodland City Council recognized Bridge's accomplishments through a mayoral proclamation celebrating his good deeds.
Fernandez presents mayoral proclamation to Bridge. (Courtesy/Alexa Bridge)
Mayor Victoria Fernandez read the proclamation explaining that Bridge was selected as The Daily Democrat's first-ever Yolo County Hero for his "tenacious commitment to his cause no matter how busy his life already was."
"Faye Abbas, a blind Woodland resident who has lived in her home for over 30 years, had been putting off much-needed repairs due to her fixed income," Fernandez read. "Paul noticed Faye's house needed maintenance and repairs, and Paul took the initiative and went home to home asking neighbors for help on the restoration project."
Fernandez then acknowledged that, following the completion of Abbas' home renovation, Bridge embarked on a second home restoration project for Woodland resident Cindy Calabro, whose husband died of a heart attack earlier this year, leaving her with years' worth of home maintenance repairs and tons of scrap metal in the backyard.
"I, Vicky Fernandez, Mayor of the City of Woodland, Calif., hereby proudly honor and celebrate Paul Bridge's recognition as the first-ever Yolo County Hero and his unselfish acts of kindness to those in our community," Fernandez concluded.
After receiving the proclamation, Bridge delivered a speech highlighting his gratitude for Woodland and explaining how he became so involved in the community.
"About 12 years ago, my family moved here to Woodland, and I have a son with autism, Paulie, sweetest kid in the world," he said. "We were looking for a nice community to settle down that had resources for my son. Yolo County and Woodland have really provided us with what we've needed to help Paulie reach his potential."
Bridge said that his wife, Stephanie Bridge, encouraged him to get more involved as a way to give back to the community. This led him to join the neighborhood watch to make sure his neighborhood's homes and kids were safe."
"Especially for Paulie if he was to dart off," he stressed. "Kids with autism like to do that."
Bridge has visited local classrooms to teach kids about autism and is a part of Yolo County's Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA), which he explained is an agency that oversees special education within the county. Bridge said he's been able to advocate for laws aimed at helping kids with special needs through his involvement with SELPA.
"I really feel it's so important to give and to be involved in your community and help those in need," he emphasized. "Sometimes they may not ask you for help, but you have to take the initiative and say, 'you know what? I know you need help, I'm going to help you.'"
Bridge thanked all the people who helped make the two renovation projects possible, including his family, Lulu Hernandez, Chad Davis, Eric Thompson, Zach Johnson, Jessie Perez and Roger Long, among others.
"I ask all of you guys to be a hero for your community," Bridge implored. "It doesn't have to be much. If somebody needs some help, you make a difference. And if you're interested in supporting fayeshouse.org… you can go on there and check us out because we will be doing more projects in the future."
Hernandez presents plaque to Bridge. (Courtesy/Alexa Bridge)
Lulu Hernandez, who reached out to Paul for assistance on Calabro's house, presented a plaque she and other volunteers who worked on Calabro's home created to show their gratitude for him.
"For as much as you've done for us, we wanted to give you a little something," Hernandez said. "And it states, 'Paul Bridge, thank you for all your hard work, dedication and service towards Cindy's home,' from your work crew."
Fernandez concluded by sharing a quote from Mother Teresa: "Do small things with great love."
"So, thank you, Paul for your commitment to our community and for sharing your love with your neighbors and making a difference in their lives," Fernandez remarked.
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