By Dorothy J. Gentry
Sports Editor
Photos: Dallas Mavericks and Dorothy J. Gentry
Video: Dorothy J. Gentry
It’s been a tough few weeks for the Oak Cliff area near Ledbetter and Marsalis and for the nearby non-profit For Oak Cliff. A young boy was struck by a car and killed on his way to school, and a beloved police officer was shot and killed in the parking lot.
“A week ago, a young man was run over in front of our building on his way to school,” said For Oak Cliff Founder and CEO Taylor Toynes. “Everybody in the room knows it’s been a tough go for us recently, the past couple of weeks.”
On Noth Texas Giving Day, the Dallas Mavericks and Las Vegas Sands provided a light at the end of the tunnel and a ray of hope after recent tragedies for the organization and the community it serves.
The Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall presented a $50,000 donation which was matched by new Mavs owner Patrick Dumon of the Sands Hotel, totaling $100,00 to support For Oak Cliff’s ongoing efforts in education, arts, advocacy and community building.
“The Mavericks and Sands believe that giving back to the community is very important for both the community in which we operate and to demonstrate our core values,” said Dumont. “For us to work with a great organization like For Oak Cliff and help further their mission is very important.”
The $100,000 donation means that the Dallas Mavericks care about the community, Toynes said. “This means that the leadership is invested in building real, authentic relationships with the community. We are extremely grateful.
“Thank you so much for seeing us, for investing in us and providing these funds to serve our young people.”
Prior to the donation presentation, Marshall, Dumont and other community leaders joined Toynes and For Oak Cliff staff and volunteers on a tour of the facility, exploring the different programs and the impact on the Oak Cliff residents and families.
The Mavs are not unfamiliar with For Oak Cliff and have long committed to the organization’s success. The facilities’ multipurpose room, gaming center, gymnasium and garden were all upgraded by the Mavericks.
During the tour, Toynes also unveiled a sneak peek into plans for the organization’s 10-Year Capital Campaign next year to raise funds to continue investing long-terms into an area of Dallas long forgotten.
“That’s why our advocacy is coming from a real place,” Toynes said as he talked of the youth who was struck by the vehicle. “We advocate for a bridge across Glendale Park to connect the community, we advocate for a crosswalk connecting Five Mile Creek with bridges…these are the things we need that are essential to the quality of life over here.
“We’ve been disconnected from the trail system in Dallas. So it is important for us to make sure this happens and we are glad to have strong partners to execute these things.”
