Harmony Playground Big Winner in Benefit Game Saturday

(A GROUP SHOT OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE BENEFIT BASKETBALL GAME FOR HARMONY PLAYGROUND SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE WORKMAN COMPLEX)

The game was a back-and-forth affair, but the big winner in the basketball contest between the Illini Legends and the Effingham All-Stars Saturday was the Harmony Playground project.

A group of former Illinois athletes headlined by Illini basketball great Kiwane Garris took a group of local basketball players to raise funds for the project designed to create a playground that will be accessible to all. T.J. Hodges of Roses from Linda coordinated the effort, along with Garris and the Workman Sports and Wellness Complex. Several Workman Complex and Effingham Park District staff members helped populate the Effingham All-Stars squad.

The All-Stars led for much of the game, but a closing rush gave the Illini Legends a single-digit victory.

The ball game featured special music and dance performances, contests for kids, and food.

Saturday was a big day for efforts in Effingham County by Roses from Linda, also including a breakfast in the morning in Edgewood and a special event at The Office in downtown Effingham that night.