By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Tim Hardaway Jr. remembers family Thanksgivings with plenty of food, fun, family and fellowship.
He wishes those same sentiments upon the less fortunate, so he and several teammates spent last Sunday donating food to ensure families have plenty to eat on Thanksgiving Day.
“It’s always an honor and privilege to do something like this,” said the Dallas Mavericks guard. “Especially in our busy schedule. So just being able to come here and give back to the community and hand out turkeys. (The fans) do so much for us to cheer us on, why not return the favor?”
Hardaway Jr. joined his teammates Kristaps Porzingis, Maxi Kleber and Dwight Powell and the Mavericks as they hosted their annual Mavs Turkey Giveaway, in partnership with Kroger, the official grocery store of the Mavs.
Also joining them were Mavericks players Charlie Villanueva and Jimmy King and former NBA player Willie Davis, as well as Mascot MavsMan, ManiAACs, D-Town Crew and staff volunteers who helped prepare full Thanksgiving meals and sides to distribute to the families served by Buckner International Humanitarian Aid Center.
Approximately 250 families received a frozen turkey, green beans, whole kernel corn, mashed potatoes, mini marshmallows, stuffing, 100% pure pumpkin, jellied cranberry, yams, cake mix, frosting and reusable bags provided by Kroger.
The Mavs Turkey Giveaway is part of the Season of Giving – the NBA and Dallas Mavericks commitment to brighten the holiday season for thousands of children and families.
“It’s a blessing for us to be able to help families,” said Powell. “It’s great to have our guys here and do this together. I think it’s just as beneficial for us to be able to see the families enjoy this moment and another opportunity for us to get closer and see how we interact in this environment.”
Buckner International is a global faith-based ministry dedicated to transforming and restoring the lives of vulnerable kids, families, and seniors.
“I think everybody was really excited to be back. To be back in the community, back this season,” said Hannah Sherertz, Mavs’ director of corporate responsibility, said of the large turnout.
“This season being able to get out and celebrate the holidays and serve all of these families is special,” said Sherertz. “There was a lot of excitement and a lot of good work done.”
