Wins and dishing out turkey dinners highlight the week that keeps on giving

MESQUITE – As Dorian Finney-Smith picked up another turkey for one of the 250 families who were receiving early Thanksgiving dinners Thursday, he smiled at how good this week has gone for himself and the Dallas Mavericks.

Three wins on the home court at American Airlines Center, plus a chance to share the wealth in the holiday season at events like the one Thursday at the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid.

“This means a lot,” Finney-Smith said. “It’s been awesome to help bring some joy and smiles and a good meal to people who might not have it otherwise.”

Then he paused for a moment and realized the week’s not over.

“We still got one more to get,” he said.

That would be the finale of the four-game home stand. The Mavericks will try to make it a clean sweep Friday night against Cleveland at AAC (7:30 p.m.).

The Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway was one of numerous “Season of Giving” events that the Mavericks are taking part in. And this chance to feed underprivileged families is always a special day.

Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber were the Mavericks handing out turkeys, all the fixings and taking selfies with fans and people in need as they drove through the line to pick up their Thanksgiving feasts.

“This is great,” Kleber said. “We’re thankful to Kroger and all the other sponsors who donated to make this possible. We’re lucky to be able to take part in this and help people.”

The Mavericks have partnered with Buckner for years to make the turkey giveaway happen. Devin Harris was a regular at the event when he was with the Mavericks.

“It’s an amazing event, an opportunity for us to serve,” said Johnny Flowers, the assistant director of the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid. “We’re going to serve 250 families and each one of them might be a family of seven.

“We’re touching a lot of lives and we’re delighted to be able to bring a smile and hope to the hopeless, who otherwise might not have a Thanksgiving dinner.”

Flowers said he talked with one Thanksgiving dinner recipient who put everything in perspective.

“We’re excited that we can collaborate with the Mavs and they can put smiles on these faces,” he said. “Like I heard a lady say just a few minutes ago: she didn’t know what they were going to do for Thanksgiving. She said: I thank God for Buckner and thank God for the Dallas Mavericks.”

The Mavericks already have dished out Pizza Hut pizza at the Dallas Life facility on Tuesday and have several other charitable efforts upcoming as part of the NBA Cares’ Season of Giving.

Buckner International, founded in 1879, is a global, faith-based ministry dedicated to transforming the lives of orphans, vulnerable children, families and elders around the world.

Mavs Care is the Mavericks’ charitable arm as the franchise strives to be champions on the court and in the community. Through many community programs and the Mavs Foundation, the organization has changed lives in North Texas and impacted thousands of children and families.

Twitter: @ESefko