Marion has the right to remain festive at police department events
Dec 4, 2023
Seven-year-old Amiyah Gonzalez, left, and sister Alaya Gonzalez, 3, sit on Santa’s lap at the Marion Police Department’s “Pizza with Santa” event on Sunday, Dec. 3. Photos by Sawyer Smook-Pollitt
Collette Barry, 2, sits on Santa’s lap.
Six-year-old Amelia DeMedeiros, left, and brother Ethan DeMedeiros, 8, asked Santa for a Barbie doll and a Lego set, respectively.
A youngster gets a slice of pizza from Marion Police Department Administrative Assistant Lauren Roberts.
A volunteer carries donations for the Marion Police Department’s “Fill-a-Cruiser” toy drive.
Donations included games, toys and sports equipment.
MARION — Police vehicles lined up outside the Marion Council on Aging on Dec. 2 and 3, but they weren’t there to stop crime — they were there to spread holiday cheer.
The Marion Police Brotherhood, the union that represents the Marion Police Department, held its annual holiday senior dinner on Saturday, Dec. 2 and its pizza with Santa event on Sunday, Dec. 3.
“I wanted to give a shout out to the officers here — this event happens because of them,” said Marion Police Chief Richard Nighelli. “They are the guardians of the community, they’re the fabric of the community. Every day I go into work [and] see great things.”
But Nighelli knew that the only thing standing between a room of hungry people and a helping of food was his speech so he kept it short, sweet and ended with a reminder to stay safe on the internet and avoid potential scams by not clicking any unknown links this holiday season.
According to newly elected Marion Police Brotherhood president Tyler Paquette, the food for the holiday dinner was donated by Riccardi’s in Fairhaven, Economy Bakery in New Bedford, Dorothy Cox’s Chocolate in Fairhaven and Marion’s own Fieldstone Market.
The next day, kids took over the Marion Council on Aging where the big draw was a chance to tell Santa Claus what they wanted for Christmas.
Amelia DeMedeiros, 6, asked Santa for a Barbie doll and her brother Ethan DeMedeiros, 8, asked for a Technic Lego set.
Five-year-old Carson Hallam sat on Santa’s lap and gave him a letter chock-full of all his Christmas wishes.
Among other things, he asked Santa for a Minecraft stuffed animal and a cellphone that his mom said he “probably” won’t get quite yet.
But while kids dreamed of the toys Santa might bring them, parents and community members brought toys for the Marion Police Department’s “Fill-a-Cruiser” toy drive.
Volunteers received and arranged a big pile of toys, games and sports equipment that will be donated to the Justice Resource Institute by the Marion Police Department.
“From all of us at the police department, we wish you all a happy holiday season,” said Nighelli.
