On Sunday, January 8, Wounded Warrior Ohana (WWO) welcomed nearly 300 wounded warriors and their families, sponsors and volunteers at its first in-person 12th Day of Christmas Gala in three years.

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, face-painting, arts and crafts, storybook characters, Christmas stockings, personal gifts from the ‘Iolani School Community and Toys for Tots. A visit by Santa himself was followed by a sumptuous buffet dinner and door prizes.

More than 70 families participated.  The 35 volunteers included board members of Wounded Warrior Ohana and Iolani School’s Raiders for Wounded Warriors (student chapter of WWO). 

WWO previously hosted an annual holiday gala dinner at Honolulu Country Club but due to COVID-19, the non-profit had pivoted  to a drive-through experience two years in a row.  Events sponsored by the organization also include whale-watching cruises, luaus, magic shows, Honolulu Zoo days, University of Hawaii sporting events, catamaran sails, outrigger canoe paddling, horseback riding, train rides and more.  WW also provides monetary grants and services and has a scholarship program for Gold Star Families and wounded warrior children. 

“There is a big gap between what vets deserve and what the government can do,” said Dick Rankin, president and founder of WWO. “We’re trying to close that gap and the mission we developed was to support the family--and not just the veteran--hence the Ohana,” said Rankin.

Mahalo to KHON2 for stopping by!

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/wounded-warrior-hosts-ohana-event-after-3-year-hiatus/