Before the start of his sixth NBA season, Tyrese Maxey and his non-profit charitable organization, the Tyrese Maxey Foundation, put on their second annual Friends and Family weekend. It was a weekend filled with three events aimed at raising money to impact and strengthen the Philadelphia community.
The weekend kicked off on Thursday night with the Night of Giving, which featured a mixer, dinner, and fireside chat with all-star Tyrese Maxey. During the event, Maxey presented community partners and young scholars with scholarships and donations.
“This feels amazing to be able to do something like this.” Maxey said of putting on the Night of Giving. My mom, my uncle, they always do a good job of putting on these things. So, this is amazing, and I can’t wait to see everybody and just fellowship with everybody and show love like we always do. One thing I love about this foundation is it’s true love…it actually comes from a real place of love”.
During the mixer, attendees could bid on auction items, including signed memorabilia and other items, to help raise funds for the foundation. Some items included autographed Maxey, Joel Embiid, and Bryce Harper jerseys.
There were also gaming systems, sneakers, and autographed photos were also up for auction. The foundation awarded $25,000 to the City College for Municipal Employment, $25,000 to the TGR Learning Lab Philadelphia, and a $10,000 college scholarship to a Philadelphia student.
Two things on top of my head,” Maxey said of the work by his foundation that he’s particularly proud of. “Scholarships, that was really cool to me. A lot of people (who) play the game of basketball and sports to get scholarships to go to college and help to go to college. So being able to do that, give out some scholarships go to college, that’s something that touched me.
“Another thing was the Turkey Drive. I remember my third year in the league, I literally broke my foot the day before. Everybody like, ‘Are you going? Are you going? Are you going?’ Of course, I’m going. I can still walk fine. I got there, and people said, ‘Man, I didn’t think you would be here. And like, ‘You can still be here giving out turkeys?’ A lot of people crying happy. That made me happy; and I will always be there if I can, unless I’m working, but if I’m not working, if I’m able to get there, I’ll be there. It’s always going to be special for me.”
Friday, the festivities continued with a celebrity golf tournament that included some of Maxey’s Sixers teammates. Kyle Lowry, Justin Edwards, and third overall selection VJ Edgecombe supported Maxey during his second outing. The event took place at the Union League Torresdale, which hosted it last summer.
Saturday morning, the foundation had its 1% Skills Camp at William Penn Charter School, a free basketball skills camp. Maxey and his team provided drills for kids of all ages, helping them to teach them the fundamentals of basketball.
Each station and age group was focused on different skills and got a chance to interact with Tyrese Maxey. He played with some of the campers and facilitated a Q&A session. He also talked about the entire weekend,
“It’s been great,” Maxey said. “Honestly, lots of supporters. I appreciate everybody who came out and supported. I appreciate all the sponsors, the volunteers, [the] security, everybody. Man, it’s been great. (The) community has really shown out, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Maxey continues to make a difference in the community he plays in, just as players have done before him. Among his reasons for his charitable work, which always starts with his inspiration, his grandmother. Maxey, is also looking to pay forward a former player who gave back to his community when he was younger.
“One camp that I actually went to that somebody was at, I won’t forget, the Chris Bosh camp. He was there…and I hit a game winner…they carried me off the court, it was kind of funny, but I could appreciate that…So now that’s my chance and my opportunity to do the same as well.”
Not only has he become a leader on the court for the Sixers, but he has also become a leader in the community. Tyrese Maxey is in Philadelphia for the long haul and his family and foundation have planted their roots and want to make a difference in this city.
