Remembering Bridget Pallango, Senior VP of Human Services
In response to Bridget’s passing, Goodwill South Florida has created The Bridget Pallango 2022 Employee Fund in memory of our recently passed Senior VP of Human Services, her legacy of good will and her impact on thousands of individuals over the years. This annual fund will support Goodwill employees and their families who experience unexpected hardships such as loss of home to fire, evictions, family deaths, covid-19 absenteeism, funeral expenses and many other issues faced by those we serve. This fund will be used to produce grants to be awarded, as needed, to those we serve who experience hardship and will provide them with a chance to feel the hope Bridget gave so many in her time with us. To donate to this fund, please make your donation in her honor by clicking the “Give Now” button at the top right of the homepage.
MIAMI (September 23, 2021) – With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Bridget Pallango, Senior VP of Human Services at Goodwill South Florida, who served the organization with dedication and passion for almost 54 years. Bridget sadly passed away on the morning of Wednesday, September 22, 2021. She leaves behind seven adult children and countless friends and Goodwill coworkers who loved and respected her dearly.
As possibly the longest-serving employee at Goodwill South Florida, Bridget started at Goodwill in 1969 as Contract Department Supervisor. She was promoted to VP of Human Services in 1989 and then again to her most recent position in 2000.
Bridget was an extremely capable vocational rehabilitation professional who was very instrumental in practically every accreditation that our Goodwill achieved over the years. She had an excellent record of performance, contributing to many of our superior achievements. After becoming Senior VP of Human Services, she helped Goodwill South Florida ascend into a top Vocational Rehabilitation program recognized by CARF accreditation and numerous other independent organizations.
Bridget leaves behind a staff wholly dedicated to her and thousands of people who she helped experience the joy of working at Goodwill. We are all honored and inspired to have known her and worked alongside her.
She was dedicated not only to Goodwill but also to her community and the state of Florida. Bridget was a Florida Certified Educator and taught people with disabilities, inmates in Correctional Institutions, refugees, immigrants, and children throughout her life. She served as a gubernatorial appointee to The Florida Governor’s Alliance for Employment of People with Disabilities (The Able Trust) since 2000, serving as Chair of the Board for two terms and Vice-Chair most recently. She also sat on six different organization’s Board Committees, of which she chaired five.
Bridget’s family and close friends will be honoring her wishes by having a small private gathering to celebrate her life. We ask that you keep Bridget and her loved ones in your thoughts and prayers..
About Goodwill South Florida
Goodwill South Florida, serving Miami, Broward and Monroe counties, is the 17th largest employer in South Florida. The nonprofit’s mission is the training, employment and job placement of people with disabilities and other barriers to work; helping individuals increase productivity and achieve greater independence. The agency provides disability services to over 7,000 South Floridians. Goodwill engages in a unique social enterprise model that funds mission services and employment for over 3,100 persons. Although most known for its Goodwill donation centers and retail stores, the organization’s other entrepreneurial businesses include Ryder Apparel Manufacturing, Custodial Services, Laundry Services and Third Party Logistics Solutions, which train and employ a large number of people, while providing mission funding. Goodwill South Florida is one of the most cost-effective nonprofits in the U.S with 96 percent of its budget going directly to programs that are aimed at people with disabilities and other barriers to work. For more information, please visit goodwillsouthflorida.org or visit us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.
