Long time Habersham County United Way Executive Director Bonnie Loffredo retired on Nov. 6. She served with the local United Way for 17 years and spent the past 14 years leading it. Loffredo was ‘roasted and toasted’ by past and current board members during a dinner held in her honor on Thursday at Habersham Electric Membership Corporation in Clarkesville. In fitting tribute to Loffredo the dinner also served as a fundraiser. Over $1,000 was raised for the Habersham County United Way.
Following her retirement dinner, Now Habersham spoke with Loffredo. She says she is humbled by the recognition and appreciation shown to her but says the greatest reward is seeing the hope that United Way gives to those in need. “Whenever we shot video and saw these people saying ‘thank you’ it felt good and it meant a lot just knowing that you’ve done something to give them hope in their lives.” Loffredo adds, “To have no hope is just the darkest place to be and so that’s what we’ve always wanted United Way to do is to just step in there and in some way give hope to those who may not have any here in Habersham County.”
Hope and laughter; Loffredo provided both in abundance during her years as the local United Way’s executive director. The humorous stories that were shared about her during Thursday’s dinner (see video) might leave some wondering, ‘are they true?’ Ask her family and they’ll tell you unequivocally, yes.
Loffredo’s daughter Jenny Holbrook agrees with the accolades that were lavished on her mom Thursday night. “She is a wonderful, wonderful woman, always giving, always helping, no matter what, and it could be anybody, she would give you the shirt off her back.” Holbrook says hearing others speak highly and lovingly about her mom makes her proud but there is that other side to her mom. “What I found funny was that people saw the other side of the haphazard, crazy kinda dog lady that normally people don’t see, so it was fun to hear that, too.”
No one knows Bonnie Loffredo better than her husband, Bob. He’s a professor at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland. Bob Loffredo is quiet and unassuming; the calm in the eye of Hurricane Bonnie. Presenters joked during the dinner that his name stands for “Bail Out Bonnie” and he says that he has (bailed her out) many times. He describes life with Bonnie these past 17 years as, “Sometimes challenging. A lot of times Bob was bailing Bonnie out at the last minute. There was stuff we had to get done but she did the job of three people, so I was part of that.” He says it was nice seeing his wife honored and remembered for her work. “I think the fact that so many people came out to honor her just shows the kind of job that she’s done.”
She may be retired now but Bonnie Loffredo’s work isn’t through. She continues to serve the Habersham County United Way as a volunteer. She encourages others in the community to do the same. “We can all do something. Most of us can give something financially to support charitable organizations. I think that’s important but your time is also important.” Loffredo says there is a huge need for volunteers among United Way’s 25 local non-profit agencies. She says those agencies would “love” to have someone call them up and volunteer their time and talents, even if both are limited. “Just do something for someone else,” Loffredo urges.
If you’re looking for an example of how to do that look no farther than Bonnie Loffredo. For the past 17 years she has given of her talent, time, money and heart to make Habersham County a better place. She takes no credit though: Her faith informs her life. “God requires of us what He gives us. If He just gives us a little bit of time then He just expects that little bit to be used, but then when He gives us bigger things He expects bigger things to be done.” Loffredo says.
As she departs her job with United Way Loffredo leaves behind words of wisdom borne of experience.
“We live in a blessed community,” she says. “We live in a blessed nation. Much is required of us and we can do so much that can make a difference in, one by one, the lives of people and then, all together, the whole county and the whole nation.” She warns against getting too caught up in a worldview of life. “You can’t look at things like, ‘Oh man, the issues are so huge.’ You just take one little bit at a time, one little kid, you know, at a time and then see what God does. He just requires what He puts in front of you and He gives you a love and a passion for it, it’s not like you have to do something you hate. It’s doing something you love and being selfless about it. Don’t get caught up in all the stuff that the media says, that you have to have this or that or this is important or that’s important, what’s important are people’s lives and showing kindness. Those are the important things.”
