Amarillo area Our Town briefs for the week of Dec. 18, 2022
Amarillo Area CASA offering volunteer training sessions in January
Amarillo Area CASA is seeking additional volunteers to sign up for its January 2023 evening training and to advocate for the best interest of children experiencing foster care in Potter, Randall, Swisher, Hutchinson, Briscoe, Carson and Armstrong counties.
According to a news release, CASA volunteers are specially trained and appointed by Judges to advocate for a child or a sibling group. They advocate for the child in court, school and other settings; they get to know everyone in the child’s life, including their parents, foster parents, teachers, doctors, family members and others. A CASA volunteer advocates first and foremost for children to be reunified with their parents whenever safe and possible. When reunification is not an option, they may advocate for the child to live with another relative or family friend. CASA is looking for individuals that can give between five and 10 hours a month to a child.
Just last year the seven counties Amarillo Area CASA serves had nearly 1,000 children experiencing foster care, the organization said. CASA was able to provide advocacy to nearly 300 of those children, and with additional volunteers, Amarillo Area CASA hopes to provide advocacy for every child in our area.
For those who would like to become a volunteer for one of these children, CASA is hosting training sessions on Jan. 17, 19, 23 and 26, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. each day. To sign up for this training or to learn more information, contact CASA’s Recruitment and Training Director, Doug Hathcock at doug@amarillocasa.org.
Senior Ambassadors Coalition holds Christmas Luncheon
On Friday, Dec. 9, the Senior Ambassadors Coalition (SAC) held its annual Christmas luncheon in The Commons Room of Central Church of Christ. Baskets of personal care items were collected from those attending the luncheon, and the baskets will be distributed to senior adult clients of Adult Protective Services.
The Jim Holston Community Service Award was presented to Jaime Sharp, who was honored for her 10 years of community service to senior adults. She has been involved with Senior Ambassadors Coalition since 2013.
Sharp served one term on the Senior Ambassadors Coalition Board of Directors from 2017 through 2019, and was SAC Board Secretary in 2018 and SAC Board President in 2019. She has served on the SAC Eldercare Conference Committee beginning in 2015 and has chaired the Committee since 2016. She has served on the SAC Bowl-A-Thon Committee since 2019, was a key leader in the development of the fundraiser, and has co-chaired the Committee since 2019. Sharp has served on the SAC Hunger Relief Through Grocery Delivery Program as a food delivery volunteer since 2015. She has also served on the SAC Mother's Day Tea Committee since 2017. She is a strong advocate for senior adults and caregivers.
She began working with senior adults when she was a student intern for Area Agency on Aging in 2011. Sharp graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. She was employed as a Children's Protective Services caseworker from 2011 through 2013. Sharp then began working as an Information and Referral Specialist and a Benefits Counselor for Area Agency on Aging from 2013 through 2015. She began working in her current job as a Caregiver Specialist for Area Agency on Aging in 2015. Sharp facilitates a monthly Caregiver Support Group and arranges for speakers for the meetings. She chairs a planning committee for the annual Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Conference, which is held in November of each year.
Area Agency on Aging receives funding from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for the Texas State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease, and Sharp provides outreach activities for training and education for the program. In her role as a Caregiver Specialist, she also works closely with representatives of the Alzheimer's Association and arranges for Area Agency on Aging to partner with them on joint projects. Sharp has also served on the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center National Memory Screening Committee since 2015 and participates in the committee's projects. She has demonstrated a willingness to give of herself and her time to the community. She has a servant's heart and has truly "made a difference" in the lives of senior adults.
The Senior Ambassadors Coalition is a 501(c) (3) organization representing a diverse group of agencies, companies, and organizations. It promotes education and awareness regarding senior and caregiver services and issues, and strives to increase access to services, and to improve the quality of life for seniors in the Texas Panhandle.
Panhandle Mental Health Guide aims to help with mental health and holidays
It is tradition to send wishes for a cheerful holiday season filled with peace, comfort and joy. However, several individuals in the Texas Panhandle experience mental health challenges, which are often heightened during the holiday season.
A news release says that during the holidays, mental health challenges are amplified due to a variety of reasons, such as:
Pressure and stress that surrounds the holiday season.
Financial burdens because of gifting and hosting events.
Increased obligations to attend social events.
Overwhelmed by grief or loss of a loved one.
Feelings of isolation or being alone.
Anxiety because of family issues or trauma.
This year, take steps to prevent holiday stress and depression. Sharing about what you are experiencing may seem scary, or you may feel like others will not understand, but the Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance is here to help.
The Panhandle Mental Health Guide, a project of the Panhandle Behavioral Health Alliance, is an online resource developed to promote mental well-being in everyday life by connecting people in need with the resources that exist for mental health care and addiction. Whether you are a provider looking to make a referral, a family member looking for resources for a loved one or someone looking for mental health resources themselves, the Panhandle Mental Health Guide can help you find and connect with mental health services and practitioners in the Texas Panhandle area.
The Panhandle Mental Health Guide offers local, state and national resources; suicide prevention; support and advocacy; and additional services and information. The guide also explains how to use the website and how to search for information for those who need assistance starting a mental health journey. If you don’t personally experience a mental health challenge, you most likely have family members, friends and neighbors who do and are struggling. By being aware that others might experience this time of year differently than you do, you can help provide comfort and peace for them this holiday season.
The Panhandle Mental Health Guide is made possible by the current generous funders and sponsors, Amarillo Area Foundation, Texas Panhandle Centers and Panhandle Area Health Education Center. To learn more, visit www.panhandlementalhealthguide.org.
Amarillo Public Library offering additional programs during winter break
The Amarillo Public Library is featuring a couple additional programs students can take advantage of over the school break.
The Winter Reading Challenge is open to students from ages 4 years old through high school. To take the challenge, stop by any Amarillo Public Library location starting Friday, Dec. 16 to register and pick up a reading log. Color in one snowflake on the log for each day that you read at least 30 minutes between Dec. 16 and Jan. 9. Students who complete the challenge earn a free Cinergy movie ticket. Reading should take place during the winter break from school, but you have until Jan. 31 to claim a ticket.
Take time to get outside this holiday season and enjoy some fresh air, exercise, and a lovely story by visiting one of Amarillo Public Library's Story Walks. This month, the Story Walk located inside the Amarillo Zoo features "Maisy’s Snowy Christmas Eve" by Lucy Cousins. At the Medi-Park Story Walk, you can enjoy "The Mitten" by Jan Brett.
For more information about the Amarillo Public Library, including a holiday gift guide, visit https://www.amarillolibrary.org/ .
Amarillo volunteers send Christmas joy to children overseas
Amarillo-area volunteers are celebrating the collection of gift-filled shoeboxes that will send a message to children around the world: God loves you, and you’re not forgotten.
Thousands of volunteers contributed to Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse by packing shoeboxes filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. The global Christmas project will deliver these gifts to children in need. Although drop-off locations have closed, there is still time to share hope and love with children overseas by packing a gift-filled shoebox online. Shoeboxes built online go to some of the hardest-to-reach areas in the world. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Bishop Hills Christmas Lights Spectacular brightens holiday spirit
The Bishop Hills Christmas Lights Spectacular is in full swing and will run through Monday, Dec. 26. Lights will be on from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6:30 through 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Amarillo Downtown Lions Club will be in Bishop Hills each night, distributing candy and taking donations of cash and new or used eye glasses. Everyone is invited; for more information, call (806) 418-4192.
Coffee Memorial Blood Center hosts 12 Days of Christmas campaign
Now through Dec. 24, the Coffee Memorial Blood Center is hosting its 12 Days of Christmas campaign, giving people who donate blood an ornament, a ticket to the Don Harrington Discovery Center, a holiday-themed t-shirt and the chance to win $250.
According to a news release, individuals who donate blood at the Coffee Memorial Blood Center’s donor center or any mobile blood drive through Dec. 24 will receive a 2022 red Christmas ornament, a long-sleeved t-shirt and a chance to win a $250 Visa gift card. A drawing will take place daily from all drives.
Community members who are healthy and at least 16 years or older can give blood. Those who are 16 and 17 years old are required to weigh at least 125 pounds, and those age 16 must provide signed parental permission. Those who are older than 18 are required to weigh at least 110 pounds. A photo ID is required. Appointments to donate can be made on their website at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. More information is available on the center's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeMemorialBloodCenter/ .
Reward increased for information on WT sculpture vandalism
CANYON — The reward has been doubled for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for damage to a West Texas A&M University sculpture. The WT Police Department is seeking tips to help locate suspects in an act of vandalism. Around Oct. 30, the newly installed bronze sculpture of poet Robert Frost in front of Cornette Library was seriously damaged when one or more vandals broke off the leg of Frost’s writing desk.
A reward of $1,000 is now available, following an additional donation by the Cornette family. The sculpture was dedicated in honor of former WT President James P. and Mary Elizabeth Cornette in October.
The sculpture soon will be repaired, and cameras will be installed around Cornette Library to provide added security for the sculpture and others that may be added in the courtyard in the future.
Tips may be reported to 806-651-2300 or to Amarillo Crime Stoppers at 806-374-4400 or amapolice.org.
Education Credit Union funds scholarships for 30 WT students
CANYON — Thirty West Texas A&M University students received an early Christmas gift when they were surprised with scholarships from Education Credit Union. The students took part in WT’s Money Management Bootcamp, a six-week series of seminars sponsored by the Education Credit Union Buff $mart program.
At a Nov. 15 graduation reception, the names of 14 eligible participants were drawn to receive $250 scholarships from WT and ECU. At the conclusion of the reception, ECU President and CEO Marcus Smith announced that, for the first time, ECU would fund scholarships for the remaining 12 eligible students, plus four peer financial coaches.
Scholarship recipients include Kaitlyn Amador, a freshman general business major from Plainview; Chidinma Aniekwena, a graduate computer information systems and business analytics from Nigeria; Najely Ascacio, a freshman sports and exercise science major from Amarillo; Diana Benitez Perera, a sophomore finance major from Spring; Erika Cedillos, a business graduate student from Kapaau, Hawaii; Katie Garcia, a sophomore management major from Clovis, New Mexico; Maryann Heffley, a senior criminal justice major from Wellington; Marshal Howard, a sophomore pre-engineering major from Follett; Kaden Husband, a sophomore animal science major from Childress; Victoria Juarez, a senior agriculture major from Castroville; Katie Labrum, a freshman animal science major from Bear River, Wyoming; Sydney Landers, a freshman agribusiness major from Guymon, Oklahoma; Matthew Machicek, a senior mechanical engineering major from Temple; Luis Martinez, a freshman general business major from Pampa; Victor A. Mata, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Sherman; Simon Mbanefo, a graduate environmental sciences student from Lagos, Nigeria; Daniel Norris, a sophomore computer science major from Levelland; Kaela Ramage, a freshman sports and exercise science major from Roswell, New Mexico; Taylor Rockey, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Monte Vista, Colorado; Libby Schelich, a freshman agribusiness and economics major from Eaton, Colorado; Lizett Silva, a sophomore Spanish major from Pampa; Savanna Sims, a freshman health sciences major from Wheeler; Shefin Singh, a sophomore wildlife biology major from Canyon; Grace Small, a graduate agriculture student from Welch, Oklahoma; Baylee Spraggins, a freshman pre-engineering major from Keller; and Jadyn VanWinkle, a freshman animal science major from Yantis.
Peer financial coach scholarship recipients include Preston Downard, a Frenchtown, Montana, native pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in general business; Tucker Gattis, a senior agriculture major from Pottsboro; Niquole Knapp, a junior animal science major from Rocky Ford, Colorado; and John Kent, a junior agribusiness and economics major from Iraan.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for the week of Dec. 18, 2022
