University of North Texas Athletics
Women’s Basketball Partners with Golden Triangle Mall to Support Wipe Out Kids Cancer
12/19/2023 7:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
With the basketball and holiday seasons being in full swing, the UNT women's basketball team and the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton have made it an annual tradition to give back to people in need in the local community.
For the second year in-a-row, the Mean Green participated in a shopping spree at the mall. After shopping for underprivileged teens of The Salvation Army Angel Tree last year, the team spent Tuesday afternoon searching for presents for the children of Wipe Out Kids Cancer.
"UNT has been phenomenal to work with," Aaron Ball, the general manager of Golden Triangle Mall, said. "Being a UNT grad myself, I always want to help my alma mater. It's been a great partnership."
Wipe Out Kids Cancer is an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients and their families. Based in Dallas, the organization was looking to partner with UNT Athletics in some way when UNT's Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement, Kailey MacBain, had an idea.
"They had reached out to us about trying to get a partnership where they come to a game," MacBain said. "We were trying to figure out what we wanted to do for this event and pitched it to them and they were thrilled."
Wipe Out Kids Cancer provided forms filled out by 17 kids of the organization that listed their age, interests and dream careers. With $1,000 donated to the event by the mall and $500 collected from UNT employee donations, the players and coaches were each given $85 to shop with and one of the forms.
"I just think it is important to give back," head coach Jason Burton said. "To whom much is given, much is required, and when we have the opportunity to do good for somebody, we need to do it. That's just a human thing to do and I'm glad we're able to be a part of this event.
This is our third opportunity this year to get out and do something. We did a Habitat for Humanity earlier this year and then had an opportunity to partner with Denton ISD to go to some elementaries and play with the kids. Anytime we get an opportunity to do it, especially around the holidays, it's always good to help families by giving back and we enjoy doing that."
The team spent an hour and a half Tuesday going store-to-store looking for gifts that fit the interests of the child they were shopping for. Being in the middle of basketball season, the opportunity to give back to the community was a welcomed idea for many of the players.
"It's important in general to give back to the community and give kids joy for the holidays," sophomore Breanna Davis said. "It's rewarding to be able to put smiles on their faces, especially at this time of the year."
With two years of successful events between the mall and the women's basketball team, MacBain hopes the event and the funds necessary for it can be grown and extended to both basketball programs and potentially other organizations such as the UNT Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in the future.
As for the mall, the ownership is in full support of continuing its partnership with North Texas, even in a busy holiday season.
"I think it gives back to the community which is important for us," Ball said. "If we can find different people, whether it is kids or adults to give back to and help draw awareness to whatever organization UNT finds, it is a win-win for everyone."
For the second year in-a-row, the Mean Green participated in a shopping spree at the mall. After shopping for underprivileged teens of The Salvation Army Angel Tree last year, the team spent Tuesday afternoon searching for presents for the children of Wipe Out Kids Cancer.
"UNT has been phenomenal to work with," Aaron Ball, the general manager of Golden Triangle Mall, said. "Being a UNT grad myself, I always want to help my alma mater. It's been a great partnership."
Wipe Out Kids Cancer is an organization that helps pediatric cancer patients and their families. Based in Dallas, the organization was looking to partner with UNT Athletics in some way when UNT's Director of Marketing and Fan Engagement, Kailey MacBain, had an idea.
"They had reached out to us about trying to get a partnership where they come to a game," MacBain said. "We were trying to figure out what we wanted to do for this event and pitched it to them and they were thrilled."
Wipe Out Kids Cancer provided forms filled out by 17 kids of the organization that listed their age, interests and dream careers. With $1,000 donated to the event by the mall and $500 collected from UNT employee donations, the players and coaches were each given $85 to shop with and one of the forms.
"I just think it is important to give back," head coach Jason Burton said. "To whom much is given, much is required, and when we have the opportunity to do good for somebody, we need to do it. That's just a human thing to do and I'm glad we're able to be a part of this event.
This is our third opportunity this year to get out and do something. We did a Habitat for Humanity earlier this year and then had an opportunity to partner with Denton ISD to go to some elementaries and play with the kids. Anytime we get an opportunity to do it, especially around the holidays, it's always good to help families by giving back and we enjoy doing that."
The team spent an hour and a half Tuesday going store-to-store looking for gifts that fit the interests of the child they were shopping for. Being in the middle of basketball season, the opportunity to give back to the community was a welcomed idea for many of the players.
"It's important in general to give back to the community and give kids joy for the holidays," sophomore Breanna Davis said. "It's rewarding to be able to put smiles on their faces, especially at this time of the year."
With two years of successful events between the mall and the women's basketball team, MacBain hopes the event and the funds necessary for it can be grown and extended to both basketball programs and potentially other organizations such as the UNT Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in the future.
As for the mall, the ownership is in full support of continuing its partnership with North Texas, even in a busy holiday season.
"I think it gives back to the community which is important for us," Ball said. "If we can find different people, whether it is kids or adults to give back to and help draw awareness to whatever organization UNT finds, it is a win-win for everyone."
Players Mentioned
Guard
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