Newport This Week

Growing Together: 2020 Community Excellence Award


 

 

Garret (Gary) Loftus, has been chosen as the 2020 Growing Together Awardee for Community Excellence for his lifelong connection to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County. He first began attending the Church Street Clubhouse as a child, to take advantage of the after-school activities and swimming lessons. He stayed to form lasting memories and forever friendships with his fellow club members.

Because of his long-term commitment to volunteerism, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County has selected him as the 2020 Community Excellence Awardee, a commendation for which he has expressed honor and surprise. He states that his greatest motivations have been twofold: the joy of helping others, and family. When asked what advice he would give to the children currently attending the Boys and Girls Clubs, Gary counseled, “Life is short, so work hard, play hard, and stay positive. Be empathetic, kind, and always willing to help those in need. Build friendships with the other kids at the club. Some of them may last a lifetime.”

His fondest memories are from attending the BGC winter camp, but his most impactful memories are of watching club volunteers donate their time to bettering the lives of others.

From his experiences to the people he met along the way, Loftus was inspired to become a lifelong volunteer for both the Boys and Girls Clubs and the wider community of Newport County.

As a young man, Loftus studied hard to acquire two associate degrees; one from the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), and a second in the field of Electrical Technology from New England Tech. He went on to work for National Grid as an Electrical Control Room Supervisor.

He is known as a big personality in Newport’s Fifth Ward, where he lives right across the street on upper Harrison Avenue from his children and grandchildren. Between work and family, he has dedicated much of his remaining time to his extensive, local volunteer work. He has donated his efforts and expertise to Habitat for Humanity, and multiple youth sports organizations such as the Fifth Ward Little League, Pop Warner football, and Rogers High School football. He has served as the House Committee Chairman for the Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Dennis Collins Division 1, and has organized for the tradesmen of this group to assist in camp projects for the Boys and Girls Clubs. Finally, he has worked independently to repair and maintain BGC camp facilities on many occasions.

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