Salisbury High School senior Matthew Fainor was selected to receive the Travelers Protective Association of America’s Altruism Award for his dedication to his peers and those in his community at a ceremony April 7.

Mike Anderson, a guidance counselor at Salisbury High School, shared Fainor was chosen because of his leadership, generosity and willingness to “embrace all responsibilities with a smile.” Anderson “will always know Fainor for one thing, giving back to his community.”

Fainor serves as the president of student government, a member of the Key Club, a representative for the students on the school board and a member of the concert and jazz band. Additionally, Fainor donated proceeds from a silent auction gala, held at the Baum School of Art, to Linny’s Kids, in honor of Marlene “Linny” Oberkotter Fowler, a well-known philanthropist from the Lehigh Valley. Fainor also raised over $40,000 for the Baum School of Art to use toward scholarships.

The TPA Altruism Award honors those with a selfless concern for the well-being of others and the staff at SHS determined Fainor was the best example of altruism.

Fainor will attend Lehigh University in the fall in pursuit of an engineering/arts sciences degree. This prestigious program only accepts 30 students and it was no surprise to Anderson Fainor was selected.

The TPA Post L in the Lehigh Valley is a national nonprofit organization and the largest post of the Pennsylvania division.

Guest speaker, Scott Hovan, shared his story about how the TPA positively impacted the life of his son Cole Hovan, who was born deaf and who was a recipient of a grant from the TPA.

Additionally, guest speaker, John B. Reilly, J.D., C.P.A., founder and CEO of City Center, responsible for development in the City of Allentown, thanked Fainor and his fellow TPA award recipients for their service and dedication and offered some wisdom and well wishes for their future endeavors. Reilly is a certified public accountant and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association since 1987.