Local Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens Donates Land for Angel of Hope Statue

PALM COAST, Fla. - Nov. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens and Crematory recently donated land and a base for an “Angel of Hope” statue, serving as a place for family and friends to grieve, connect and find hope after suffering the loss of a child.

Donna Reid Lunsford, the organizer of the initiative approached Allen Whetsell and Sal Passalaqua of Craig Flagler Palms and set up a meeting to request having the Angel placed there. “I felt the Angel belonged at Craig Flagler Palms, God was telling me that’s where it should be and He will always direct your path,” she said. Allen and Sal stepped up and offered a generously sized piece of land on their property, directly in front of the parking lot where everyone will see it when they pull in. “We never planned anything for this piece of land for some reason and now I know why,” said Allen “I think it gives people a place to go to as a community to begin the healing process when they've lost a child. It gives them a symbol of hope, which an Angel is,” said Allen.

Donna launched “Parents in Mourning” after her son Jonathan and his cousin Eric were tragically killed by a drunk driver. Jonathan is laid to rest in the mosque at Craig Flagler Palms. It started as a support group meeting with bereaved parents in the community. Donna is a certified grief counselor and psychiatric registered nurse and offers workshops from time to time. After losing her son, Jonny, she knows what depression/anxiety feels like and she likes to help and give people hope. “Giving people hope after their child has died is how I found my way to cope with my loss,” said Donna. “I have been contacted by many parents as time goes by to thank me for helping them and each one has said to me the same exact thing – ‘I would not have made it this far without you’ – my response is always – ‘No, it is you who have helped me continue  to walk my journey and I am honored that you share your child’s memory with me,” she added.

The “Angel of Hope” statue was derived from the book “The Christmas Box” by Richard Evans and purposefully serves as a monument for parents and families who don’t have a gravesite for their child or as a place where they continue the healing process. There are over 125 angel statues across the United States serving as memorials to children, including one in Newtown, Connecticut, to remember the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

The statue will cost $18,000, which includes set up and delivery. “The donated land is just the beginning of our efforts,” said Donna. “We have raised $1,000 so we have a ways to go, but I’m confident with the generosity of our community that we will reach our goal and get this meaningful statue installed,” she added.

Donna has a 501c3 so all donations are tax deductible.  Those interested in donating can write a check in the foundation’s name to Jonathan A Merlino Memorial Foundation. Donations can be mailed to: Donna Lunsford, PO Box 351574, Palm Coast FL, 32135 and can be made for the holidays in anyone’s name. They are also being accepted via http://www.gofundme.com/cxp550. Should someone want to include a child's name on the Angel base, they can email Donna at: rememberingjon1281@yahoo.com.

Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens and Crematory located at 511 Old Kings Road S. Flagler Beach, FL 32136 is an independent, family owned facility that is dedicated to meet your every need at such a difficult time.  They can be reached at (386) 439-5400 or online at http://www.craigflaglerpalms.com/index.html.