A Little TLC via Basketball
By Alicia Wanek
Sports have a unique ability to unite people. Whether you are an athlete or a spectator, being engaged in the game can transform your leisure time into an exhilarating experience. If you’ve ever been part of a Texas Legends game, you understand that the atmosphere is designed for enjoyment for all ages. The Legends organization is dedicated to fostering community connections through an entertaining setting, which is why they collaborate with the non-profit outreach initiative Texas Legends Care (TLC) to ensure that all children and families they support benefit from such opportunities.
Founded in 2012, TLC is committed to nurturing deep-rooted community relationships to create a substantial and beneficial influence. Executive Director Samantha Matthews envisions it as an “extension of the spirit and commitment to giving back” that the Legends have embodied from their inception. Donnie Nelson, General Manager and President of Basketball Operations for the Dallas Mavericks, the Legends’ affiliate, and a TLC board member, states, “The Texas Legends were founded to assist those in need and honor those who serve. Texas Legends Care is that vehicle.”
The organization showcases its dedication through diverse outreach initiatives. The Marques Haynes Scholarship Fund awards scholarships for children to participate in sports camps hosted at the Texas Legends facility, providing them the chance to meet team players. Samantha has witnessed the significance of this program for children who otherwise might not have access. “We believe that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, deserves equitable opportunities to chase their dreams. Sports teach character, teamwork, and encourage a lively, active lifestyle,” she emphasizes.
Through the Legendary Kids Program, youth and families from low-income neighborhoods are chosen via local nonprofits and schools to experience Legends games, often providing them with once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. An administrator at Arturo Salazar Elementary in Dallas expressed gratitude for the Texas Legends Care initiative, noting, “Some of our students have never participated in events like this, and many have never left Oak Cliff, making their attendance at the Texas Legends game an extraordinary chance to expand their worldview. The Texas Legends bus program facilitates students’ social-emotional development, hands-on learning, and enrichment of various academic concepts.”
Throughout the team’s season, they collaborate with 24 local nonprofits, honoring one at each home game. TLC is pleased to team up with Raytheon to distribute tickets to both current and former military personnel and their immediate families at every home match, along with a partnership with Home Depot to recognize a community hero at each game.
Samantha aims to strengthen the connections they have forged, especially with the Boys & Girls Club and Dallas ISD schools, to amplify their impact. She asserts, “It’s crucial for children to have the opportunity to engage in community events, helping our youth transcend the limitations of their neighborhoods.” Ultimately, while it’s about much more than basketball, they are having a blast along the way.
