There are over 600 Hamilton Police Retirees and widows; the majority, of which, are members of the Hamilton Police Retirees’ Association. Of this group, approximately 50 are very active, with a wide variety of police and community volunteering initiatives.
During the past year, the Hamilton Police Retirees Association’s charitable giving and volunteering efforts focused on our seniors’ community. We hosted two “Pub Nights” at the Atrium Villa in Hamilton, and the Lakeview Retirement Centre in Stoney Creek. Our members volunteered in serving food, beverages and snacks to the residents, while they were entertained by the Hamilton Police Male Chorus. These events were funded, through charity our fundraising events and with the support of the Hamilton Police Service. We also provided charitable funding to a number of charitable organizations in the Hamilton community.
The Retirees’ Association also contributed approximately 300 volunteer hours, while assisting with delivering daffodils for the Canadian Cancer Society, Kids Help Phone Line bowl-a-thon, and various community events and festivals.
The Retirees Association hosts an Annual Golf Tournament and a Turkey Roll as their two major charity fundraisers. Over four thousand dollars ($4,000.00) was raised from these two events which are solely dedicated to charitable giving.
Unfortunately our Museum was not available for use this past year, but we hope to have the new mobile museum ready to go for the summer of 2011.
We attended a number “cruise nights” with the restored “classic” Police Studebaker cruiser and showed it at many community events, including the Santa Clause Parades in Hamilton and Stoney Creek. It was a big hit amongst young and old alike and brought back fond memories.
The Retirees’ Memorial Garden at Division 10 which was dedicated in 2006 continues to be maintained by one of the retirees and is an attractive addition to the entrance of the building.
The “Call Box” Police Tuck Shop continues to be popular with both active and retired members. Total gross sales to date this year total $9,015.00 which puts us on par to match 2009 gross sales of $9,952.00. The Tuck Shop donated $886.13 of its proceeds to funding the 2010 Remembrance Dinner for surviving spouses, and also $720.00 in merchandise was donated for gifts and prizes at community events where the retirees were involved. Trailer museum expenses totaled $212.49.
The Annual Spring Luncheon which is co-funded by the Hamilton Police Services Board and the Hamilton Police Association was held this year and took place on April 18, 2010. We had over 300 in attendance and Chief De Caire and his wife Kathy personally greeted every retiree and spouse. The 2009 Top Cop Award, for the Retirees was presented to Phil Slack.
Vice President Pieter Ciere served on the Police Services’ Wellness Committee and was active in the planning of the resurrected Police Family Summer Picnic, which was a great success.
In 2010, the Chief’s Retiree’s Advisory Committee met with Chief De Caire on a regular basis to discuss both Service challenges and Retiree needs. I know I speak on behalf of all the retiree’s in expressing our sincerest thanks for the support of Chief De Caire, and his policy of inclusiveness in regards to the retirees.
We are also grateful for the ongoing support of the Hamilton Police Services Board and in particular their approval of the funding for the new Mobile Police Museum.
We look forward to this partnership in serving as retired members of the Hamilton Police Service and promoting its reputation as the “Best Progressive Police Service”.