Spurs: Good on ya Patty! Mills leads domestic violence fundraiser

The San Antonio Spurs point guard is leading a campaign directed at raising donations for victims of domestic violence in San Antonio

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has always emphasized the importance of using the platform afforded to his player’s status as professional athletes to benefit their communities. Time and time again we’ve seen members of the San Antonio Spurs step up and use their resources for good during these past few months.

Now Patty Mills is asking San Antonio residents to take part in a campaign that he’s directing at raising money for victims of domestic violence in the city. Locals can stop in at one of eight coffee shops in the city this Sunday, Mother’s Day, and buy a coffee or drink of their choice. The shops will all keep the money from sales and Mills will donate double the total sales number to Family Violence Prevention Services.

What an amazing idea by Mills. This campaign is a double-edged sword that will both help local businesses who have likely been negatively impacted by the COIVD-19 virus and also raise money for an issue that is close to Patty’s heart.

As Mills noted, domestic violence was already a huge issue before the COVID-19 virus hit but the necessary self-isolation and quarantining has made certain situations even more dangerous for victims.

#Spurs @Patty_Mills discusses his #GiveMamaCoffee campaign to benefit local shops, help family violence prevention services in SA area.

Said Coach Popovich has helped team understand there is a bigger world out there and he's using platform to make impact. #KSATsports #KSATnews pic.twitter.com/a6rCHxAY4J

— RJ Marquez (@KSATRJ) May 8, 2020

As RJ Marquez noted in a recent article with KSAT.com, Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar made a point that while total family violence reports are down, that’s not a sign that overall cases are decreasing. Sherrif Salazar predicted that reports have dropped because victims are likely stuck at home with their abusers and have no way to safely leave or call for help. Said Salazar, “It’s still going on but it’s just in the shadows and that’s the most tragic thing”.

Locals who purchase a coffee or food from one of the included shops can post a photo of their purchase with the #GiveMamaCoffee and they’ll have a chance to join a ‘Coffee Gang’ Zoom call with Mills, Manu Ginobili, Boris Diaw, and Tiago Splitter.

As if helping local business and a good cause wasn’t enough to get people involved, the potential of joining a Zoom call with some of the funniest and most beloved San Antonio Spurs in team history should send participation through the roof.

Mills continues to be the leader on this team, setting the tone on and off the court for how a San Antonio Spur should conduct themselves. He’s an amazing basketball player and an even better human, we’re lucky to have him on our team and in our community.