Mavs bring the love at Children’s Health — Plano

PLANO – Moving from one room to another and from one floor to another, Dallas Mavericks players A.J. Lawson, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Brandon Williams kept spreading a little love to the young patients at Children’s Health Plano on Tuesday afternoon.

The move by the Mavs – in conjunction with ShiftKey – was to help celebrate Valentine’s Day and bring some smiles to some patients who are unable to get out of the hospital to enjoy this precious day with their family and friends.

“I think one of the great things about Children’s (Health) is our mission is to make life better for kids, and one of the ways that we’re able to do that is just let kids be kids,” said Jennifer Roady, the manager of family support services at Children’s Health in Plano. “Today is one of those times that our kids get to just enjoy the things that they love, and that is sports.

“And the group coming in was able to just make their day a little bit brighter. Having groups like the Dallas Mavericks come in to visit, it helps kind of break up the day for our patients.”

Breaking up the monotony while lifting the kid’s spirits was a teaching tool for Lawson. All of the players came with gifts and big smiles for the kids.

“It was amazing being with O-Max and B-Will showing the kids some love,” Lawson said. “It was fun (and the kids) were excited.

“We gave them some gifts. I feel a smile on my face. I definitely cracked little jokes, so I know I made them laugh, too.”

Between the laughter, the players played some games with the kids while also sharing stories. In addition, they went from room to room while a wagon load of toys, roses and other gifts were closely nearby.

“It was great to have A.J. and B-Will here with me to be able to just come here in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, lift the kids up, see how they’re doing and put a light in their day,” Prosper said. “I think we did that, so that was awesome.

“My favorite part of the day was just seeing the smile on their faces as we came in each room, and to have them seeing us, it’s just amazing.”

According to Williams, the looks on the patient’s face when the Mavs entered their room was priceless.

“It was smiles all around,” Williams said. “As soon as you walk in you kind of feel that smile and that atmosphere when people see us. That feeling never gets old.”

Williams also discussed the importance of visiting hospitals and people in the community.

“It’s important for sure because not everybody can come to our games and watch our games,” he said. “Just being able to go to them and really show up in their room like today, it’s a smile that’ll go on their face and it’s so large.”

Roady said she purposefully didn’t tell the patients beforehand that the Mavs were going to pay them a visit.

“Our patients are here for lots of different reasons,” Roady said. “Some of them may have gotten really bad news today, some of them may have gotten really great news. Or some of them may just be feeling really down.

“So, being able to surprise them and having a group that maybe they look up to — or somebody that they watch on TV — come in and see them, just makes the day a little bit better. So, it takes away some of that stress and anxiety that they may be feeling and just lets them have a moment of just being a kid, and that pure joy of just meeting somebody that you may have watched them on television or that you say, ‘I want to be them one day.’ “

Emily Honeycutt, the corporate social responsibility and Mavs Foundation manager, knew Valentine’s Day would be a special moment for the kids.

“We come out here for holidays in December, Halloween, and we always love to sprinkle in Valentine’s Day because it’s something that kids get to celebrate in a classroom and with their friends,” Honeycutt said. “And when you’re away from that for a little bit getting some care, it’s nice to have people come in and show that we’re still thinking about them even while they’re here. So, we brought them goodies and the players got to deliver them to them. It was just a really special day.”

A special day the kids likely will never forget.

“We love our relationship with Children’s Health and we love being able to come out here and do these,” Honeycutt said. “They are so touching and just honestly so fun.

“I always say this, but my favorite part is watching the players walk out of the rooms, because you know they’re a little jittery going in (because) they don’t know what to expect. And then they come out (of the rooms) and they’re always beaming, they always have so much fun.”

ShiftKey senior account manager Riley Helland said the trip to Children’s Health was impactful, primarily because he was able to pass out gifts to the kids. Also, Helland said: “I got to have a good time and really spend time with (the kids) and just kind of bring light to their day. It was an awesome experience and I’m excited to be here.

“At ShiftKey, we’re obviously in the health care space every day. So, to come and actually be on site and to visit the kids and partner with the Mavs on this is amazing.”

In addition to the players and Honeycutt, the Mavs were represented by the ManiAACs, the D-Town Crew, Champ and several other front office employees.

“I’d say my favorite part of the day was giving the gifts out to the kids,” Lawson said. “To see their face and have them so excited and smiling, it’s just a great, great feeling.

“It’s important just to go out there and have your name and face (visible), so everybody can really see who you are and (you) connect with them personality-wise.”

Prosper concurred, saying: “That’s what it’s all about – being able to give back. We play basketball, but it’s what you do with it and how you impact others.

“It’s not just about us playing basketball. It’s a bigger meaning to it. And doing things like that, it’s just a little bit of what we can do outside to impact this world. So, any time I get a chance to do this it means the world to me.”

It also meant the world to Honeycutt, who was pleasantly surprised that Children’s Health didn’t tell the kids about the Mavs’ appearance beforehand.

“I love that it was kept a secret,” Honeycutt said. “Children’s Health let them know that they had some special guests, but they didn’t mention the Mavericks, so the kids were just shocked when they walked in and got to see Champ and the players.

“One patient was playing (NBA) 2K, so they got to play that with the players. It’s just so fun.”

And it was just what the doctor order for a very special Valentine’s Day.

“Holidays such as Valentine’s Day are really important for our patients,” Roady said. “Kids are kids, so even when they’re in the hospital we want to help them celebrate the things that they normally would do.

“So, at school they may have a Valentine’s Day party or get to write Valentine’s Day notes to their classmates. So, being able to celebrate that here in the hospital just reminds them that they’re a kid and that their first job is to be a kid. So, being able to surprise them and give them that extra pick me up on a day like today while they’re in the hospital allows them to just be a normal kid, which is what we want.”

X: @DwainPrice