Photo for Headline Surfer / Shown left to right: Allison Miller, director of Community Partnership at the Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, Sal Passalaqua, area Manager, Craig Flagler Palms, and Nancy Walsh, quality advocator, ELCFV.
By SERA KING / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens & Crematory’s area manager Sal Passalaqua, Jr. has received the 2021 Outstanding Philanthropist award from the Association of Nonprofit Professionals.
Passalaqua was nominated for the award by The Early Learning Coalition of Flagler and Volusia Counties, Inc. (ELCFV). for his contributions to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL) in Flagler County.
The Award for Outstanding Philanthropist honors an individual or family with a proven record of exceptional generosity who, through direct financial support, demonstrates outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to take philanthropic leadership roles on a community, national, and/or international level.
Sal participated in the Flagler Chamber Leadership Class 15 in 2010 and the group launched bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Flagler County. He also committed to sustaining that support each year. The DPIL program gives every participating child in Flagler County a specially selected, age-appropriate book each month, mailed directly to their home at no cost.
“Because of Sal’s initiatives, Craig Flagler Palms has supported the DPIL over the past decade by contributing $40K to help kids learn to read in Flagler County,” said Allison Miller, Director of Community Partnership, ELCFV. “Sal has a wonderful way of quietly making meaningful and important things happen,” said Nancy Walsh, quality advocator, ELCFV.
“I don’t do this for me. I was able to tap into a resource and share these funds so we can help this amazing program," Passalaqua said. I’ve been honored to be involved since the beginning. I don’t do this alone - I accept this recognition in honor of my Leadership Class, everyone at the Early Learning Coalition, and of course the kids we are helping."