April 21, 2025 By The Town of Hingham
With April being National Volunteer Appreciation Month as the backdrop, Hingham’s Center for Active Living (HCAL) held its Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on April 10 th at the South Shore Country Club to celebrate and honor 86 dedicated volunteers.
The almost 100 people in attendance included State Senator Patrick O’Connor, State Representative Joan Meschino, members of the Hingham Select Board, and Town Administrator Tom Mayo.
Center Director Jennifer Young asked the assembled to “please raise your hand to be recognized if you are a Receptionist, Program Leader or Instructor, Driver, Concierge or Kitchen Help, Gardener, Special Event Helpers, Movies, Flyers and Communication, SHINE Counselors, Professional Consultation Services, COA, Building Committee, Marketing Committee, Brand Ambassador, FOCAL Friends.” She told them “We are here today because our gratitude and appreciation never seem enough for everything you do.”
Young pointed out the HCAL’s 86 volunteers provided 5,274 hours of their time to the Center in 2024: an equivalent of adding 2.9 full-time employees to the staff, saving the Town of Hingham approximately $216,109, based on the Value of Volunteer Time report from the Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofit organizations, foundations and corporate giving programs in the United States .
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
A highlight of each year’s luncheon is the recognition of the Earl Dare Mable Volunteerof the Year award. The 2024 honoree is Jean Silverio.
Silverio joined the Hingham Senior Center (now HCAL) in 2014 after retiring from a 35- year career as an educator with the Boston Public Schools. She started volunteering for the center as a founding member of a monthly book club and helping with the Pen Pal Program. In 2019, Silverio joined the Council on Aging where she worked on many initiatives including the 50 th anniversary planning committee, rebranding, marketing subcommittee and the Brand Ambassador program. In 2020 she was appointed to the Center for Active Building Committee.
Silverio works with Town Clerk’s Office, is a graduate of the Hingham Citizens Police Academy, and a graduate of the first Local Government Academy held in 2024.
“Jean is one of the first people to raise her helping hand when there is a need. She will tell you that being a part of the Center gave her friendships and renewed purpose, “said Center Director Young. “The real benefactor is the Town of Hingham for everything you have given to us and everyone in this room.”
Jean also received Citations from Senator O’Connor, Representative Meschino, and The Town of Hingham for her achievement in service to the community.