December 13, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer, Photos by Josh Ross
The annual luncheon for seniors hosted by the Hingham Police Association at South Shore Country Club on Monday attracted more than 200 guests who enjoyed a delicious meal, good company, and holiday songs sung by the police officers.
“We practice all year long, and this is our once-a-year singing event,” quipped Deputy Chief David Petitti, one of the organizers.
“We were very happy with the turnout, which was larger than last year’s post-Covid event. It was amazing.”
It’s all hands on deck as Hingham police officers of all ranks along with the HPD civilian staff volunteer to make the event a success. Members of the Hingham Citizen’s Police Academy also helped out this year.
The HPD officers assisted the Raffael’s staff at the Country Club with meal preparation, served the food, and performed cleanup duty.
“Raffael’s provided a beautiful setting with Christmas decorations,” Petitti told the Hingham Anchor. “It was a really good day.”
Hingham Director of Elder Services Jennifer Young has high praises for the HPA for hosting this event.
“Like clockwork every year in October, Hingham residents aged 60+ start to ask our staff when the annual senior luncheon sponsored by the Police Association will be. Many of our members would tell you it is THE event of the year,” she said. “Once we receive the tickets from the Hingham Police Department, there is a frenzy of calls coming in and people stopping by to register for the event.”
The HPA is the charitable arm of the HPD, which includes all sworn personnel.
This year’s 200 tickets were distributed to Hingham Center for Active Living (formerly called the Senior Center) members over a two-week period.
“Everyone gets dressed up in festive holiday attire as they gather with friends to have a delicious meal. I enjoy hearing the commotion of conversation and laughter in the room,” Young said. “There were many familiar faces in the crowd, but it was also an opportunity to meet new residents of Hingham and also individuals who are new to the Center for Active Living.”
Older residents attend the luncheon for more than the meal. “Guests enjoy the opportunity to socialize with Hingham police officers,” Young explained. “Events like this help to build relationships of trust between officers and senior residents. It is a really wonderful program, and the chocolate mousse was fantastic!”
The annual luncheon is enjoyed just as much by the police officers. “It’s the Association’s largest annual event and all positive. There were lots of smiles!” Petitti said.
Police Chief David Jones also shared his enthusiasm. “This is a tradition that allows us to reconnect with the seniors in our community every year and to have conversations about what’s important to them,” he said. “It’s great to see the same faces again along with new ones, and it’s a chance for us to give back to the community.”
