Four years ago Marianne and Mark Makaila along with their two sons, Mark age 13, and Ryan, 11, started a yearly Thanksgiving tradition and invited all their friends to join them on Thanksgiving morning for a “Turkey Bowl.” Everyone gathers in our town of Mount Laurel, teams are formed in advance and friendly games of football take place. With parents coaching, siblings that cheerlead and all the food and snacks brought to the field this is truly a fabulous way to “kick off” the holiday season.
This annual event has grown, and in 2010 the family decided it would be a great idea to use this event as a way of helping others in need. This year, with an invite list that had grown to a little less than 100 children, the “Turkey Bowl” was the most successful yet raising $714 to help families in need within the community. As Marianne would say, there were families who needed “hugs for the holidays” and with her determination and hard work the Makaila family has, and continues to make a difference.
