On Sunday, January 2, Wounded Warrior Ohana (WWO) welcomed 150 wounded warriors and their families at a drive-through gala with gifts, dinners, themed characters, Christmas stockings and live music.
The event at Honolulu Country Club was held for wounded warriors from all services who were invited to sign up in advance to participate. Families were treated to live music as they drove up and were presented with dinners from Honolulu Country Club. Each of the children received two wrapped gifts selected just for them by Iolani’s Raiders for Wounded Warriors (Student Chapter of WWO), a stocking, family game and a toy from Toys for Tots. All safety precautions and distancing were observed.
More than 50 families (85 adults and 65 children) participated. The 25 volunteers included board members of Wounded Warrior Ohana and Iolani School’s Raiders for Wounded Warriors.
Local organizations who generously provided services, products or discounts included Honolulu Country Club, the Iolani School community, Toys for Tots and NEX.
WWO previously hosted an annual holiday gala dinner at Honolulu Country Club for more than 300 wounded warriors and family members but due to COVID-19, the non-profit has pivoted to the drive-through experience two years in a row.
Mahalo to all of the volunteers and donors who all helped make the event a huge success!
And mahalo to KHON-TV for featuring our event on the news!
Volunteers (WWO Board of Directors, Iolani School’s Raiders for Wounded Warriors) and the Storybook Characters prepare for the arrival of our wounded warriors and their families.
Families received dinner, wrapped gifts and Christmas stockings
Wonderful door prizes were given out to lucky families, including two televisions.
Everyone in the family stopped by!
Lively Christmas music was provided by the bc band.
The Iolani “elves” were busy passing out presents and stockings, while Santa looked on.
The joy in the children’s faces was priceless!
Bags full of hot turkey and ham dinners and desserts were passed out to every family.
The Iolani “elves” prepare for the next vehicle to arrive.
