It’s the name of the game and a victory cry

“B-I-N-G-O!”

That’s the name of an ageless game of chance with cards and numbered squares — played by people of all ages in countless social settings — and often featuring fun prizes for filling a full line.

It’s also the winner’s victory cry.

For the Thornton Elementary School PTO (Parent Teacher Organization), a BINGO game anchored a unique fundraiser held last Friday night inside the Johnston High School Cafeteria. It was the first time the event had returned after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As proof of the event’s popularity, nearly 150 people — children, parents, Thornton staffers, faculty and volunteers — sat at long cafeteria tables enjoying unmatched camaraderie and impressively fun-filled family event.

In the middle of it all were two wonderful women — Thornton’s fifth grade teacher Kelley-Cerbo-Charpentier and Dana Stonis, a parent volunteer.

Likewise, Louise Denham — the long-time principal at Thornton Elementary School — welcomed her beloved students and their parents and like everyone in attendance enjoyed listening to Grade 5 Teacher Colleen Muller call out the night’s numbers that were affixed to the balls inside the bingo barrel and drawn by student Ibrahim Fall.

“Everyone is having fun!” Stonis exclaimed while going from to station-to-station. Each station featured a variety of snacks as well as pizza, and were staffed by members of Thornton Elementary School’s Student Council, who were decked out in special matching T-shirts and also keeping a keen eye on their respective and sometimes winning bingo cards.

It was perhaps among the best Thornton Elementary School Family Nights, as many people among the always-smiling players concurred.

“We’re certainly glad to be able to have our annual family bingo night again,” Stonis offered. “The past two years we couldn’t have this because of COVID-19. Thank you to everyone who came here tonight and played and supported the night; all money we raised will benefit different PTO programs and events we have for our children at Thornton Elementary School.”

Stonis also praised the Thornton Elementary School’s Student Council members — who were wearing specially-designed 2022 black T-shirts with white lettering — for their two-fold efforts of passing out food and the night’s valuable prizes.

The fun-filled Family Bingo Night returned to the Johnston elementary school’s social scene and set the tone for future programs. Last Friday night offered seven valuable donated raffle prizes, and organizers hope that number may double or even triple for the 2023 event.