On a brilliant 80-degree February day, the Mavericks unloaded a record number of winter coats and jackets on Wednesday at the Austin Street Center for distribution to those who need help the most.
After all, this is Texas. If you don’t like the weather, wait a little while. It’ll change. And a whole lot of people will be better prepared for it when it does.
The Mavericks partnered with the center and Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers for this year’s Winter Warm-Up to collect and distribute more than 1,500 winter-wear items.
Mavericks’ legend Devin Harris helped give out the coats, then went to work with 7-year-old daughter Violet to serve up chicken and fixings to the Austin Street Center clients.
“We are blessed living in Texas, so we don’t have to deal with a lot of cold weather,” Harris said. “But nobody should ever be cold. It’s important, especially with what’s going on in the world, making sure that people are safe and warm. And if we can be a part of that, I think it’s a blessing.”
More than 400 clients stay at ASC and all of them got a chance to go through the serving line for Raising Cane’s chicken and collect an article of clothing.
“We are so appreciative of the partnership with the Mavericks and with Cane’s to be able to provide our clients with coats, with food – just so appreciative of what they’re able to provide to our neighbors in need,” said Nicole Binkley, chief operating officer of ASC.
“We have 430 residents who reside here on a nightly basis. Our clients come to us at the most vulnerable state. Sometimes, they haven’t eaten in a couple days. So being able to have that hot breakfast, lunch and dinner – Raising Canes providing a hot dinner that everybody loves is such a treat for all our clients.”
The Mavericks have been partnering with Raising Cane’s for several years to sponsor the Winter Warm-Up.
It’s an initiative that took off with collection bins at every Raising Cane’s restaurant.
“When we were a much smaller footprint in DFW, that’s how we started growing the business,” said Nick Titus, area leader of restaurants in Dallas for Raising Cane’s. “We got involved with churches, schools and different parts of the community.
“And as we grew, we started partnering with big organizations like the Dallas Mavericks and we typically have a sponsorship that works mutually to support each other in the community. Both organizations do a great job and this is one of our campaigns in the winter to collect gently used winter wear. We set out to collect at all restaurants in the DFW area and collected over 1,500 articles of clothing to give out here.”
Harris was a vital member of the Mavericks when it came to involvement with community endeavors during his three stints with the team. He made numerous appearances at youth camps and various initiatives supporting and benefiting non-profit organizations.
On Wednesday, he got the chance to pass along to his daughter why it’s important to do so.
“It’s more now about setting the right example,” said Harris, who had a strong 15-year NBA career that included an All-Star appearance in 2009. “It’s something that my parents instilled in me growing up. We used to volunteer and do a lot of things.
“And now, it’s more about teaching them (young people, like his daughter) what’s right and if you have the ability to give back, you need to do that – understanding why we help out and do what we do. Teaching some life lessons. We’re just trying to teach them right from wrong.”
Austin Street Center has been helping the less fortunate since 1983 and is one of the largest shelters in Dallas.
And they are particularly involved with thousands of Dallas neighbors who need a place to stay, especially in inclement weather.
For that reason, despite the beautiful weather we’ve enjoyed in February, Binkley said the clients of ASC know the importance of what the Mavericks and Raising Cane’s did on Wednesday.
“You never know what’s going to happen in Texas, to be honest,” she said. “So today, while it may be a little sunshiny, everybody is leaving here with happy faces because they know they’re going to need it any day.
“Just wait, it’s Texas. It’s going to change and they always need a jacket, no matter what time of year, getting that warm-weather care that they know they’re going to need.”
February typically is the coldest month of the year in Dallas.
And no matter the weather, the Mavericks have stepped up when it comes to helping feed, house and clothe the less-fortunate.
“Over the years, we’ve been able to donate so much to Austin Street Center and their clients,” said Emily Honeycutt, the Mavericks’ corporate social responsibility and Mavs Foundation manager. “This is a record-setting year for us in terms of coats collected and we can’t thank our Mavs Fans For Life enough.
“We set these containers in every Raising Canes in the DFW area and the community showed up and showed out with so many great items for their community members.”
X: @ESefko
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