[Smile Challenge Sports Day] Running Together, Laughing Together, Creating Joyful Moments of Connection 2025-11-20

On Saturday, October 25, under a clear autumn sky, the “Smile Challenge Sports Day” took place at the Lira Children’s Welfare Center in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. This sports day, organized by Smilegate Foundation, served as the third activity of “HeeHeeRakRak,” a social contribution initiative run in partnership with the internal club program “Smile-Lak.”

The playground of the Lira Children’s Welfare Center was filled with the lively energy and warm smiles of the children and Smilegate members. In the peaceful scenery, the members and children ran together, laughed together, and created precious moments.

It might feel unfamiliar at first, but that’s okay — we’re one team.

At 10 a.m., before the main sports day began, an icebreaking session was held. The members and children, meeting each other for the first time, naturally felt awkward. However, through simple games and introductions, the awkwardness gradually melted away, and some outgoing children quickly became familiar with the members.

Kim Bo-ram, Assistant Manager at Smilegate Foundation, said, “This sports day is not about competition or scoring, but about creating joyful memories by completing missions together,” and added, “With the hope that children can feel it’s okay to fail and that members can laugh together through the process, we set the keywords for this sports day as ‘smile,’ ‘challenge,’ and ‘cooperation.’”

“With this, we begin the Smile Challenge Sports Day!” With a powerful opening speech by Director Kim Doo-sik of the Lira Children’s Welfare Center, Part 1 of the sports day began. The “Smile” team and the “Hope” team each prepared to enjoy the event, cheering and applauding with excitement.

In Part 1, various games took place, including “Our Link,” where members and children held hands and passed through a hula hoop, “Ball Pit Basketball,” where colorful balls were thrown to the opposing side, and “Three-Person Four-Legged Race,” where three participants tied their legs together and walked as one.

“Kids, you don’t need to rush!” “Slow down! Stay together with the friends behind you!”

Members adjusted the pace of each game to match the children’s speed. When a child hesitated to join, they reassured them, saying, “It’s okay to fail.” Everyone enjoyed the process — sweating, tossing balls, falling down, getting back up, and trying to move in sync with one another.

As Part 1 ended and hunger set in, the children enjoyed neatly packed lunch boxes with fried yubu-chobap, kimbap, and pork cutlets prepared according to their tastes. After eating, mini games such as “Limbo” and “Red Light, Green Light” were played for the excited children on the playground. Laughter never stopped among the kids participating in the games. One child even held a microphone and sang—perfectly capturing the name of the Smile Challenge Sports Day, creating a free and joyful moment.

Director Kim Doo-sik recalled the relationship with Smilegate that began 15 years ago. He said, “Smilegate employees were matched one-on-one with children and even went to amusement parks together. And when a new dormitory was built five years ago, thanks to financial support, we were able to provide children with independent spaces.” He added, “The children love the activities run by Smilegate Foundation the most.” His words conveyed a clear sense of trust toward Smilegate.

Learning the values of challenge, cooperation, and consideration

In Part 2 of the sports day, games such as “Rolling the Earth,” where a giant ball was passed overhead, “Rolling the Golden Pig,” where a pig doll was rolled with a stick, and “Building the Vision Tower,” where balloons were used to build a plastic tower, were held.

“We’re almost there! Big comeback, let’s go!”

The children who were clumsy and a bit awkward at first were now naturally moving in sync with the members. Sweating together, failing together, laughing together — they had truly become one team.

Assistant Manager Kim Bo-ram said, “I was worried about whether the members and children, meeting for the first time today, could work as one team and build joyful memories together. But when it started, I was grateful that everyone participated enthusiastically, and seeing them holding hands and smiling brightly as they enjoyed the sports day made my heart full.”

Director Kim Doo-sik said, “I know very well how difficult it is to take time on weekends for volunteer activities after a busy workweek,” adding, “Nevertheless, I am very grateful that so many people came and ran together with the children. I felt that our children truly enjoyed the sports day,” he said with a gentle smile.

As the sports day came to a close, the members and children lined up to form a train and exchanged farewells one by one. Although they had only spent half a day together, they already felt close and were reluctant to part ways.

The Smile Challenge Sports Day was a precious time that taught children the values of challenge, cooperation, and consideration within shared laughter and joy. The members formed teams with children they had never met before and created special memories, while the children also enjoyed spending time with new adult friends.

“Today was really fun. Thank you!”

Smilegate Foundation plans to continue supporting Smile House children through various programs so they can grow up healthy.