Philly Games provides a family fun day

Philly Games hosted its annual Family Fun Day at Ethafeni Park, Tembisa, on December 1.

The event brings Philly Games stakeholders together under one roof each year, including the vendors, adopted homes or orphanages, community members and sponsors.

The Philly Games adopts NPOs or NGOs to work with each year and hosts them at the Family Fun Day.

The day started with an aerobics session presented by Reliable Fitness Club, Trimit Health Care and the Fit For Free Ekurhuleni team.

Lerato Maboa-Mngadi, head of marketing and communications, said the Philly Games turned 28 this year and brought its “family” together for a pre-Christmas party.

“We are a community sporting organisation that never stops doing what we do. Each year we hold our games on time, with or without sponsors,” said Maboa-Mngadi.

“This event it is to say thank you to the community of Tembisa for showing us your endless support each year. There is this guy who leaves Bloemfontein each year to participate as a vendor during our games from December 16 to December 31. This means we have an incredibly loyal following.

“We are proud to say that this year we are sponsored by Tembisa Plaza, who saw our vision and wanted to help us take it far, because we are not all about the soccer games. We also reach out to our community and lend a helping hand to the needy.

“We have adopted some schools in Tembisa, including Tembisa High School, Rebonwe Primary School, Welamlambo Primary School and one more school,” said Maboa-Mngadi.

Moloko Mojela, the CSI manager, said they identified two homes to which they will be donating packages of toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries.

“We used to donate toys, but we listened to the homes and we came up with a better strategy.

“These homes are Growing Stars and Siyazi Gabisa Home of Hope. Each year we donate what we can. It’s always a pleasure to see the young ones playing on the jumping castles so peacefully,” said Mojela.

Siyazi Gabisa Home of Hope founder Gabisile Khoza said they have been part of the Philly Games Family Fun Day for the past five years and every year it is a great experience.

“During this time of year we say let’s show women and children love, and that is exactly what Philly Games does for our children. It’s a nice outing and a fun-filled day for the children and we thank Philly Games for their endless support and love shown to us every year,” said Khoza.