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June 5, 2009

Junior Bridgeman has been named the 2009 recipient of the MACC Fund’s Don Contardi Commitment Award, presented each year to a person or a company committed to fighting childhood cancer.  The award was presented to Bridgeman on Monday, June 1, at the Chili’s MACC Open golf outing.

“It’s a great honor to receive the award,” Bridgeman said. “The MACC Fund has been around for a very long time. This is their 33rd year helping children, and I’m glad to do what I can to help the cause. Jon McGlocklin and the Milwaukee Bucks were the driving force in getting the program started, and to receive the award after all they’ve done for kids in the Midwest area is a great honor.”

Bridgeman, who played with the Bucks from 1975-87 and was on the team when the MACC Fund was created in 1976, has served on the MACC Fund’s Honorary Athletic Board for nearly the entire 33-year life of the MACC Fund.  One of his companies, ERJ Dining, which manages over 100 Chili’s Restaurants, was the presenting sponsor for this year’s Chili’s MACC Open.  He has also been an active supporter of the Bucks MACC Fund Game since its inception in 1977. Bridgeman currently serves on the National Board of Directors of Fifth Third Bank, The PGA of America Board of Directors, The Library Board, The West End School, Jackson Hewitt Board, Governors Cup, Governors Scholar Program, National Basketball Retired Players Association, Crusade for Children Foundation and Wendy’s National Advertising Board.

Bridgeman played 10 seasons for the Bucks, appearing in a franchise-record 711 games.  He averaged 13.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists during those 10 campaigns.  He is also among the Bucks all-time leaders in scoring (9,892 points – 7th), minutes (18,044 – 7th), steals (607, T-9th), field goals made (4,142 – 5th) and field goals attempted (8,658 – 4th).  His number (#2) was retired by the Bucks on January 17, 1988.

ABOUT THE MACC FUND

The MACC Fund supports pediatric cancer and related blood disorder research such as sickle cell disease and aplastic anemia in Wisconsin.  This research impacts children throughout the Unites States, as well as globally.  The Bucks have been a pillar of support for the MACC Fund since its inception in 1976, including helping to raise more than 1.3 million dollars at the annual Bucks MACC Fund Game, held every October at the Bradley Center.  The MACC Fund has contributed $34 million to scientific research at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin’s Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, as well as clinical/translational research at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.  Long-term commitments take that number to $40 million.

ABOUT THE DON CONTARDI COMMITMENT AWARD

Don Contardi was one of the early members of the Board of Directors for the MACC Fund and was one of the driving forces of the early MACC Fund Golf Opens.  Don died in 1984 after a valiant struggle against cancer and the Don Contardi Commitment Award is presented each year at the Chili’s MACC Open to a person or a company who personifies Don’s commitment to fighting childhood cancer and blood disorders.

ABOUT BRIDGEMAN FOODS

Junior Bridgeman is the owner and President of Manna, Inc. and ERJ Dining, Inc., which currently oversees the administration and operation of 163 Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburger Restaurants in five states and 118 Chili’s Restaurants in seven states.  The restaurants presently employ approximately 12,000 employees.