The Mavericks’ winning culture is extending beyond the basketball court – all the way to hospitals, food pantries, essential workers battling the COVID-19 crisis and children in need throughout North Texas.
For the second time since the coronavirus outbreak caused a shutdown of the NBA and many other businesses, the Mavericks on Friday announced a major donation to help local non-profit organizations and others who need help the most.
The organization announced that $150,000 will be donated to the local community – with essential workers in need of childcare, children lacking educational resources, victims of domestic violence, various food banks and various child-advocacy groups among the many charitable initiatives that will benefit.
This follows the $260,000 in contributions to healthcare workers, the elderly and hungry the Mavericks gave last month and brings the total donated by the franchise to over $1.96 million since the crisis began – including time and resources donated by the Mavs Foundation, the team, its leadership and players.
“I’ve always said that I don’t own the Mavs, the fans of North Texas do,” owner Mark Cuban told Mavs.com. “We play for our fans. We work every day to re-earn their commitment to the Mavs – every day.
“When we aren’t playing, that means working to make the communities our fans live in better in any way we can.
“Sometimes that’s by being there for them and making them smile. Or giving them someone to get excited about. Other times, it’s about providing support services and others it’s a financial commitment.”
The monetary aspect should not be under-appreciated. Most of the nation’s economy has been near a standstill since the shelter in place rules began in March.
The Mavericks and the NBA have suspended basketball operations since March 11. But the community impact has gone up during the basketball down time.
Cuban has been on the front line of donating – and raising – as much money and resources as possible to assist in the fight against COVID-19.
His All-In Challenge that will make a lucky fan a Maverick player was part of a Fanatics fundraiser that had a goal of $100-million and already has raised more than $33-million.
But the local emphasis is what has driven the Mavericks to do whatever is possible to support those in need and those who are working to keep others safe.
The focus areas of the latest round of donations include support for current COVID-19 needs such as childcare for essential workers, mental health services, education, support for low-income populations and those who are unemployed, plus aid for victims of child abuse and domestic violence.
Among the local nonprofits receiving donations: Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County, North Texas Food Bank, YMCA of Metro Dallas, Dallas CASA, Genesis Women’s Shelter and numerous others.
“We want to be where our communities need us when and how they need us,” Cuban said. “This is who the Mavericks organization aspires to be.”
Twitter: @ESefko
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