DHO“Thanks for Giving” Bingo Night Helps Hawaiʻi Food Bank
On November 25, the Damien Hui ʻOhana hosted our “Thanks for Giving” Bingo Night, bringing together students, parents, alumni, and staff for an evening filled with good company, fun, and service. This tradition reflects one of our school’s core values: giving thanks by giving back.
As our principal, Dr. Pua Higa, shared, “Giving thanks by giving back. A mainstay of Damien Memorial is our commitment to serve and give back to our local communities!”.
“This yearʻs Damien Hui ʻOhana (DHO) Thanksgiving Food Drive yielded several hundred pounds of food, almost double what was donated last year. A big mahalo for everyone who donated to feed others! One of the many great things about Damien,” she added.
Our school cafeteria was full of energy as families gathered for a memorable night of bingo. Dannan Smith, our Community Liaison, described the event as “a great success,” adding that “the caf was filled with parents and family friends who came to support their students and the Hawaiʻi Food Bank. The organization and time the DHO put into this event was amazing.”
Volunteers and supporters stepped up in a big way. Alumni from the Class of ‘99 donated two 58-inch TVs as prizes, and volleyball parents generously contributed beautiful $25 gift baskets. Project Grad 2026 families prepared ʻono food, and DHO served their signature nonalcoholic Dirty Sodas. The bingo announcer kept everyone entertained, and an icebreaker game of “pass the pumpkin” immediately brought the entire room together.
The most meaningful part of the evening was the collective effort to fight food insecurity in our community. Thanks to the generosity of our Damien ʻohana, the DHO Thanksgiving Food Drive collected 774 pounds of food, which equals 645 meals for families across Oʻahu. Dannan expressed how heartwarming it was to see the turnout and support, reflecting on the “good food, games, great prizes and best of all great members of the Damien Ohana.”
Our principal summed up the spirit of the event beautifully, saying, “What an awesome DHO Bingo Night too! Great prizes, ʻono food by Project Grad 2026 families, and very intense bingo play made for a wonderfully fun evening of camaraderie and friendly competition”.
We are grateful to DHO for their continued support and commitment to our students and families. If you haven’t experienced a DHO Bingo Night yet, be sure to mark your calendar for next year. It’s an evening you won’t want to miss!
