DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks and Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse hosted 120 children from Buckner after-school programs on Nov. 22, teaching them how to shoot some hoops at the American Airlines Center. It was the 14th annual Mavs Turkey Dunk and the first time the organization partnered with Buckner for the event.

“It was a great day to be a kid in Dallas,” said Scott Collins, vice president of public relations and marketing at Buckner. “We are so thankful to the Mavericks and Nick & Sam’s for providing this great day for our kids. You could tell everyone was having a great time.”

Children lined the perimeter of the basketball court waiting for the Mavericks to appear, chanting “Go Mavs!” until their arrival. Dirk Nowitzki lifted the smaller children into the air to help them dunk the ball, while guard Jason Terry gave away two pairs of autographed shoes to some special kids.

After the one-hour basketball clinic, children were rewarded with a five-star meal of Thanksgiving turkey, beef tenderloin, mac and cheese and lobster ravioli from corporate chef/partner Sami Dhurandhar at Nick & Sam’s Steakhouse. Mavs mascot Mavs Man also made an appearance with the kids.

To learn more about the ways you can collaborate with Buckner, please contact Buckner Foundation at 214-758-8000 or email measter@buckner.org.

To purchase a ticket to the Mavs game for the Mavs Charity Challenge, click here.