EAST PROVIDENCE — In late February, dozens of colleagues and friends sent East Providence Police Department Lieutenant Armen Garo into retirement with a dinner at the Agawam Hunt Club and in the process sent a special young girl on a trip of a lifetime.
Over $6,000 was raised at Lt. Garo’s retirement party from proceeds derived from a silent auction run in conjunction with the dinner, enough to send a girl afflicted with Cerebral Palsy, Ava, and her family to Disney World.
“The support from the police department was incredible and it felt good to do a good thing for someone who deserve it. The silent auction raised just a little over $6000 in order that Ava’s wish to go to Disney World could be realized and they can have many special memories together as a family.
The trip and the money raised were funneled to Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island, a Warwick-based non-profit organization that supports terminally ill children and their families. The goal of the group is to provide these kids with “their very own computer, go on a family vacation, meet their heroes and other special wishes unique to child.”
“I have been blessed with good health to do this job for 30 years,” Lt. Garo explained. “I thought this would be a great opportunity to do something for a child to help her feel good about herself, to make her feel like she belongs just like I was made to feel like I belonged being in the police department all those years.”
Lt. Garo said he was initially against the idea of having a party to celebrate his tenure on the EPPD and his impending departure. But after thinking about it for a while, he came up with the idea of using it as a vehicle to help a charitable organization. He eventually chose Children’s Wishes of Rhode Island from a number of other worthy causes. He said hopes his retirement dinner serves as a example to others, especially his brethren in the public safety field, when it’s their time to step away.
“I really didn’t want anything. I did my job. I got paid,” Lt. Garo added. “But then I thought about it and figured it could be a chance to do something worthwhile. And I encourage people to think about doing something similar when it’s their turn to retire. It’s pretty easy. Just come up with an organization to benefit like Children’s Wishes or Wounded Warriors or any other that helps those less fortunate than us.”
Will Gilbert, an East Providence native and co-host of the local morning TV talk show “The Rhode Show” donated his services as an MC for the evening. EPPD Lieutenant Ray Blinn organized the event. EPPD Detective Corporal Michael Spremulli donated his services as a DJ and supplied the music during the evening. Speakers included EPPD Chief Christopher Parella, Ralph Ezovski of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers and Mary O’Rourke of Children’s Wishes R.I.
For more information about Children’s Wishes locally visit www.cwishesri.com.