NEWBURYPORT — There should be plenty of green on display at the Newburyport Masonic Center on March 17 when Housing Support Inc. revives the annual Newburyport St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon after a long absence.
“It’s going to be a great time,” Housing Support board treasurer Frank Cousins said. “It’s all about people helping people and a good way to kick off the spring season.”
For years, the luncheon had been hosted by the Link House and saw elected leaders like Salisbury Town Manager Neil Harrington, former Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday as well Cousins, (who was Essex County sheriff at the time) chowing down at the head table on a traditional corned beef and cabbage supper. Although the event was not considered a typical roast, elected officials hurled plenty of jokes at each other’s expense anyhow.
But sometime around 2019, the tradition was shut down in lieu of other fundraisers. It remained dormant for several years until the locally based nonprofit housing development corporation decided to bring back the annual event as a fundraiser of its own.
“This is such a good cause. We serve a really good purpose in the community to help people get back on their feet with transitional housing,” Cousins said. “But the most important thing is that we bring awareness to what is happening with people with substance abuse and alcohol problems who are having trouble in recovery. Helping them, I think, is the real need.”
The alcohol-free lunch runs for 90 minutes, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and features an appearance by Boston Bruins singer Todd Angilly who is expected to belt out some Irish tunes along with the national anthem.
“He’s the gentleman who replaced Rene Rancourt, not that he can be replaced,” Housing Support Inc. Executive Director Paula Newcomb said.
Just as the name suggests, Housing Support Inc. provides housing and related support and addiction services to veterans and low income, homeless, and disabled individuals in Essex and Rockingham counties.
In Amesbury, the Newburyport-based nonprofit housing development corporation maintains the Quinn House, the Bartlett House, the Main Street Veterans Residence as well as the Main Street Supportive Residence.
The company also has the Parker Street Residence, the E. James Gaines Veterans Residence and the High Street Residence in Lawrence, as well as the Webster Building in Haverhill along with the Kingston Veterans Residence in Kingston, New Hampshire.
“Our mission is to provide housing and supportive services to folks who are disabled, with very low income that may need drug and alcohol support services,” Newcomb said. “But we also provide other kinds of services as well and have a couple of veterans buildings.”
Mayor Sean Reardon is expected to play the role of master of ceremonies at the luncheon, while Harrington, state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester; and state Rep. Dawne Shand, D-Newburyport are expected to speak.
Cousins said there will be some Irish step dancing from the Murray Academy of Irish Dance in Exeter, New Hampshire.
“Everyone likes to see that and the response for tickets has been great so far,” he said. “We expect to have a full house of about 192 people.”
During the luncheon, late Housing Support employee Terry Murphy will be named Irishwoman of the Year.
“We’re hoping people have a lot of fun, have a great meal and get to reacquaint themselves with a lot of other people in the city on a more informal basis,” Newcomb said. “A lot of people have been very receptive to hear this may be coming back. People really enjoyed the luncheon.”
Tickets are $35 per individual, $250 for a table of eight. They can be purchased online at: givebutter.com/IcmZUp or www.housingsupport.org/.
Checks can be sent to: Housing Support, Inc., 12 Pleasant St. Suite 3, Newburyport, MA 01950.
Staff writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached via email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.