AFP celebrates National Philanthropy day with 2023 Leading Through Giving event

Brianna Maestas, Amarillo Globe-News
·3 min read

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Texas Plains Chapter (AFP) hosted the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday, Nov. 17 at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.

To kick off the event, APF President-Elect Haley Bell welcomed attendees and introduced Dr. Aaron Hunt, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chaplain, who led the crowd in prayer. He was followed by Amarillo Area Foundation's CEO Clay Stribling, who presented keynote speaker Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Soles4Souls, who spoke about the global nonprofit organization and their mission to collect shoe donations to create educational and economic opportunities for individuals in poverty in 137 countries across the world.

Following the keynote talk, Bell and Stephanie Goins, annual giving officer for the Amarillo Area Foundation and National Philanthropy Day Chair, presented eight awards to local individuals and organizations nominated and recognized for being the most giving in the Texas Panhandle area for 2023.

Haley Bell, president-elect of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Texas Plains Chapter, and Stephanie Goins, annual giving officer for the Amarillo Area Foundation and National Philanthropy Day Chair, hosted the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.
Keynote speaker Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Soles4Souls, speaks about the importance of giving during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.
Keynote speaker Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Soles4Souls, speaks about the importance of giving during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.

"We are celebrating all of the philanthropists in the community who have done great things. ... This event is important to the community because it allows us to appreciate those that give. We have so many organizations, corporations, foundations who love our local nonprofits and want to help those in need; this event thanks those for making Amarillo a great place," Goins said.

This year's award recipients include Rockrose Development, LLC, nominated by Kids, Inc., named the 2023 Outstanding Small Business; Nancy and John Kritser, nominated by WTAMU and Amarillo College, as the 2023 Outstanding Philanthropist; High Plains Christian Ministries, nominated by Downtown Women's Center and WTAMU, as the 2023 Outstanding Foundation; Barbara and Ray Bain and Family, nominated by WTAMU, for the 2023 Family Philanthropic Spirit Award; Miracle Week by the Children's Miracle Network, nominated by the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and Turn Center, as the 2023 Outstanding Fundraising Event; Michele Agostini, nominated by the Turn Center as the 2023 Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser; NewsChannel10 Media nominated by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo and the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle, as the 2023 Outstanding Media; Education Credit Union (ECU), nominated by the ECU Foundation and StoryBridge, as the 2023 Outstanding Large Business.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals Texas Plains Chapter recognizes eight local philanthropists for their contributions to the community during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals Texas Plains Chapter recognizes eight local philanthropists for their contributions to the community during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.
Keynote speaker Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Soles4Souls, speaks about the importance of giving during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.
Keynote speaker Buddy Teaster, president and CEO of Soles4Souls, speaks about the importance of giving during the 31st annual Leading Through Giving celebration luncheon, held in recognition of National Philanthropy Day on Friday at the Amarillo Civic Center Grand Plaza.

"The generosity in the panhandle is unbelievable. The amount of people that love our community, want to support out community, want to see it succeed is only possible because of these wonderful donors, and we can't thank them enough for being a part of our nonprofit world and supporting everything that everyone is doing. It's just inspiring to watch it all unfold," Molly Caviness, major gift officer for WTAMU and AFP board member, said.

Lunch for the event was provided by Two Knives Catering. During the event, each of the award recipients went on stage to accept their awards.

The full length honoree videos will be aired on Panhandle PBS on Nov. 23 at 9 p.m. and Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

For more information about AFP or to make a donation, visit them online at http://www.afptxplains.com/ .

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: AFP hosts 31st annual Leading Through Giving luncheon