LYNN — A night of music, games, and hot pizza will bring the community together this weekend at Holy Family Parish for a musical bingo fundraiser hosted by the Santa Famiglia Lodge.
The event, happening Saturday, will raise funds for the Mario Travascio Jr. College Scholarship and collect donations for the Lynn Shelter Association’s diaper drive.
Attendees can expect four rounds of musical bingo led by DJ Thom Hogan, raffles, desserts, and fresh pizza from Tony Lena’s in Swampscott. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and include game cards and refreshments. Doors open at 6 p.m., with games beginning at 7.
The musical bingo night has become a lively community tradition — a way to support local causes without the cost and logistics of larger events.
“It’s a fun night,” said William Travascio, who serves as program director and financial treasurer of the Santa Famiglia Mixed Lodge, Sons and Daughters of Italy. “We’ve built it back up since COVID, and we’re close to where we were before — about 70 people.”
A Past Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus Valladolid Council, Travascio remains actively involved in service organizations across the North Shore.
“Every month, I help another organization in the community,” he said. “With the Santa Famiglia Lodge, we’ve supported groups like My Brother’s Table and Toys for Tots. It gives me a lot of pleasure to see what we can bring in during these events.”
The fresh pizza will be delivered in rotating batches throughout the evening to keep it hot, and attendees can enjoy a dessert break after the third round. Winners receive gift cards, and in the event of a tie, the losing player receives a free pass to the next event.
The DJ for the evening, Thom Hogan, was scouted by William Travascio through a Salem Hospital cancer center event. “He’s amazing with people,” William said. “I watched him work the crowd and knew right away he was the one we needed.”
For William Travascio, the fundraiser is about more than raising money. “No kid should wake up on Christmas without a toy. No family should go without diapers or food,” he said. “That’s what keeps me going. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I believe in helping people — and I’m not stopping anytime soon.”
Running the evening is a family affair: Travascio’s wife, Diana, manages the front door and Venmo payments. She also serves as president of the Santa Famiglia Lodge, a role she’s held since 2012.
“The Sons of Italy in America, now known as the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, is one of the oldest and largest fraternal organizations in the country, founded in 1905 to promote and maintain Italian heritage and culture,” Diana Travascio said.
“Our lodge, the Santa Famiglia Lodge, was founded in 2006 at Holy Family Church by the former pastor, Gregory Mercurio. I’m honored to be its fourth president, following Rick Vitali, Steve Picone, and Ralph Jamieson.”
She said the lodge’s mission is rooted in charitable work.
“Each month we choose a different organization in our community that needs assistance. We also have an annual scholarship fund for lodge members with high school seniors,” she said.
The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts also supports broader causes, including the Alzheimer’s Association, Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
“We’ve worked with the Lynn Shelter Association, Toys for Tots, and veterans’ groups,” Diana added. “We’re always looking for new members who are interested in helping maintain our charitable work.”
The lodge meets at Holy Family Church in the lower hall on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
