Giving back
Bucks show community gratitude through events
Thon Maker was heading to his car when he spotted a homeless man. Maker didn’t shield himself behind headphones or shift his gaze away.
“Can you grab me a meal?” the man asked.
Maker could. He wouldn’t ask how the man got here, or what his story was, or why he wasn’t at a shelter. It was cold out. This person was hungry. And Maker could help.
“I just walked inside and got him a meal,” the 20-year-old center for the Milwaukee Bucks said. “Something as simple as that – it’s going to take you three minutes to place an order and pay for it and leave. You have that money.”
We are in the season to be thankful, and it goes without saying that members of the Bucks don’t have to worry about food or
“You can pretty much see the story in people’s faces. The struggle. The grief. That relief that I’m able to provide for them is something that fulfills me. As long as I’ve got money, I’m going to share it.” Jabari Parker Milwaukee Bucks forward
shelter. But many players do more than the community service required by the National Basketball Association. Some of it might get a shout-out on Twitter, but much of it is behind-the-scenes.
“You have to find ways to give back because you’re always on the go, you’re always busy,” Maker said. “People say ‘give back’ a lot – but there’s big ways you can do it, and there’s small ways you can do it.”
In addition to Maker, Jabari Parker, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Matthew Dellavadova and Tony Snell are especially active volunteers.
Every year the Bucks, as an organization, donate 900 volunteer hours; each employee gets 16 paid hours to volunteer their time somewhere. The Bucks have made mentoring programs, like math and reading for kids, the priority.
“We don’t want to be 100 miles wide and a half inch deep,” said Bucks Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Alicia Dupies. “We as a community should feel lucky to have these guys.”
Last Sunday, Maker spent time at two Sentry stores giving out donated Thanksgiving meals to 100 families from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee.
That same day, Middleton was at the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center serving a Thanksgiving meal to 40 matches — “20 Bigs and 20 Littles” — of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee.
Middleton chose the program because his older sister, Brittney Ogike, has always been there for him, and still is to this day.
“She’s basically my manager,” said Middleton. “I go to her for everything. She schedules my meetings. When my car is broken, she will get it fixed. She is always taking care of me. She’s something special.”
He wanted something personal with the kids, a sit-down dinner and a chance at a real conversation.
“It’s a way to be a mentor to them, for them to find a way out and find a future,” said Middleton. “I’m a big believer in having a big brother, big sister – somebody just to look after you.”
Parker spent Tuesday at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, continuing his Thanksgiving tradition of donating dinners.
Parker is reluctant to publicize such efforts; most it will never ever be posted on his social media.
“This stuff is heartfelt,” said Parker. He acknowledged it can be tough making small talk.
“You can pretty much see the story in people’s faces. The struggle. The grief,” said Parker. “That relief that I’m able to provide for them is something that fulfills me. As long as I’ve got money, I’m going to share it.”
When he wants to break the ice, he rarely brings up basketball. He uses the same conversation starter: Where are you from? And that’s usually enough to get people talking to the larger-than-life Buck.
“With the kids, you have to be a little more enthusiastic,” said Parker. “So that they know you come in peace.”
Parker grew up on Chicago’s south side. “I wasn’t homeless — almost, but not quite — but I needed the food.”
Many players volunteer for additional events, said Maker, and others donate money, too.
It’s not just basketball stats that get to Maker now, it’s more poignant numbers — like when he hears that some kids get by on a few dollars a week for food.
“That’s money we spent on valet parking,” said Maker. He shakes his head and is quiet for a moment.
“I’m very thankful for the position I’m in; I give all thanks to God,” said Maker. “The job I’m doing, and the pay or whatever, will take care of me; it’s our job to take care of the rest.”