Police and Mazhu Axes teamed up for the first time for a unique fundraiser that had participants throwing axes at targets on the wall for a good cause.
On May 15, Mazhu Axes in Bustleton hosted the first police and fire fundraiser, collecting a total of $900, which will be used to aid the families of police officers and firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Attendees paid a $10 cover for full access to the facility, which included chucking the weapons alongside food and drink. The donors included Chick-fil-A, Mission BBQ, House of Kosher, Texas Roadhouse, Ateethi Restaurant, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and beers from Broken Goblet Brewery. Boyle Playground and Somerton Civic Association also made donations.
Owners Toby Philip and Binu Scariah both grew up in the area and opened the ax-throwing establishment in December.
Philip’s wife is an ER nurse at Temple Hospital and said police and fire always look after her and the other nurses.
“They risk their lives for us, so the least we can do is help out where we can,” Philip said.
Mazhu Axes is one of several ax-throwing locations in Philadelphia. Philip said the city is an up-and-coming ax-throwing location outside of Canada, where it is the most popular. Philip and Scariah were inspired to open their own location after enjoying the activity in Canada.
Both owners grew up in Northeast Philadelphia, where they said they found there wasn’t a lot to do for fun.
“We’re hoping this is the first step in our long path of opening activities and restaurants and things like that,” Philip said.
Participants stand behind a painted line and throw their axes at painted targets on the opposite wall. Two people throw at a time so it is broken up tournament-style. Throwing stations are separated by safety fences, and visitors are instructed on safety procedures when they arrive.
Philip and Scariah said they plan for this to become an annual event.
