Smith Memorial Playground’s Adults Only “Party in the Playground” Will Feature Food, Cocktails, & Live Music
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse (3500 Reservoir Dr.) will host its 16th annual adults-only Party in the Playground benefit on Saturday, June 1, from 5:30pm- 8:30pm. Held at Smith’s historic 16,000-square-foot Playhouse and 6.5-acre Playground in East Fairmount Park, the event raises funds to support Smith’s work, which includes welcoming over 160,000 visitors annually from every zip code in Philadelphia, and providing educational and advocacy programs that harness the power of play to help children, families, and communities thrive.
This year’s Party in the Playground will present the 2024 Ida Newman Magic of Play Award to Malkia Singleton Ofori-Agyekum, Jennifer DiVeterano Gayle and Bob Prischak (d. 02/23/2024) for their outstanding service at Smith. The night will be marked by food, delicious cocktails, live entertainment, a silent auction and rides down the Ann Newman Giant Wooden slide. Guests will enjoy delicious food and popular food trucks. Drinks and sweets will be provided by Jack’s Firehouse, Philadelphia Distilling 12th Street Catering, and much more.
Party in the Playground will feature a live auction, led by emcee and auctioneer Jeff Hammond. Prize packages include a wide variety of experiences including tickets to Philadelphia sports games, arts and culture shows.
Tickets, sponsorship details, and a full list of sponsors can be found at https://apps.smithplayground.org./upcoming-events
2024 honorees include:
Malkia Singleton Ofori-Agyekum is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of ParentChild+, an organization that supports families with young children living in historically marginalized communities in accessing a path to possibility. As a program designer, leader, and advocate in the fields of early childhood education and homeless services, Malkia has dedicated her time and talent to serving underserved communities in Baltimore and Philadelphia. She is a fearless advocate for children and families as well as a long-time Smith partner and collaborator.
Jennifer DiVeterano Gayle, Esq. is a Partner at Mannion Prior, LLP. She has donated countless hours of pro bono legal assistance for Smith. Jennifer is also a volunteer child advocate for Montgomery Child Advocate Project. She has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star® in estate and trust litigation since 2018 by Philadelphia Magazine, she has been included in the The Best Lawyers in America for her work in litigation – trusts and estates since 2018.
Bob Prischak (d. 02/23/2024) became a champion of Smith while serving as a charitable trust officer at First Pennsylvania Bank. Bob believed in Smith’s mission, and through wit, charisma, institutional sleight of hand, and dogged determination, he pursued a way to resurrect Smith in the early 2000s.
