Amarillo community news: Xcel Energy staff donate to The Bridge, Perryton efforts, more
Xcel Energy employees help Texas Panhandle kids with $5,000 grant to The Bridge
The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center was notified in March that the employees of Xcel Energy selected the agency to receive funding through their new initiative, Xcel Energy Foundation Employee Choice Grant. Xcel’s employees are making it possible for five Panhandle children who have suffered abuse to share what has happened to them in a safe, neutral environment. This funding will help the families of these children navigate resources for healing and justice including counseling and victim of crime funds, according to a news release.
A committee composed of Xcel Energy employees combed through 80 nonprofit nominations in Texas, narrowing the list to three for all Texas Xcel Energy employees to vote their preference. “The employees at Xcel Energy are keeping abuse and violence from defining a child’s life by providing direct services to our Panhandle kids with this funding. We are thrilled to be selected for this grant and we are inspired by Xcel Energy employees who care so much about our Panhandle kids. Xcel Energy’s new Energizing the Future focus area grant program is wonderful!” said The Bridge Executive Director Shelly Bohannon.
Xcel Energy Foundation Representative Terry Price presented the check to The Bridge Friday, June 16.
The Bridge opened its doors in 1989 as the first Children’s Advocacy Center in the state of Texas, serving the26 counties in the Panhandle area. Learn more online at www.bridgecac.org .
American Red Cross providing disaster assistance in Perryton; financial assistance available to those who qualify
The American Red Cross is on the ground in Perryton, responding to the devastating tornado that struck the area on June 14. The Red Cross is here to help everyone affected by the devastating tornado, a news release states. Many services are available to those impacted including medical and mental health services, meals and snacks and ongoing case management. Services are available to everyone regardless of race, religion or citizenship status.
Financial assistance is available to those with qualifying home damage. If your home was damaged or destroyed by the tornado in Perryton, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Please call the Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross (1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or visit the Red Cross shelter at Perryton High School, 1200 S. Jefferson St. No ID is required for our assistance; they just require documentation of your address. Information provided to the Red Cross is confidential and will not be shared with the government or any other organization.
All Red Cross disaster assistance is a gift and free. The Red Cross responds to disasters big and every day. You can learn more about Red Cross funding and consider offering your support by visiting www.redcross.org.
TxDOT to address drainage concerns in Dumas
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) had TxDOT officials recently visit several locations in Dumas to address drainage concerns identified during the US 287 reconstruction project.
After visiting five locations and initial evaluations were made, remedies were identified to reduce or eliminate the nuisance water from ponding at or near the right-of-way.
Remedies include construction of concrete flumes near the ROW line, additional asphaltic concrete pavement (ACP) for driveways, and installation of sidewalk drains. TxDOT will coordinate individually with adjacent property owners prior to and during construction of any remedies.
The proposed remedies are slated to be installed within the next eight to 12 weeks. The timeline is subject to vary based on material availability.
Sod Poodles raise $38,000 in donations for Panhandle relief efforts
The Amarillo Sod Poodles are proud to announce that $38,007 was raised from the June 17th game to assist with relief efforts for the Texas panhandle after the recent flooding in Amarillo and the devastating tornado in Perryton earlier this month. All the money raised will go to the Amarillo Area Foundation Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund to be shared equally between the two different causes.
Donations came from the Sod Poodles’ Star Wars Night jersey auction which was held both online and in person immediately after the game. During the game, Sod Poodles fans rose to the occasion and made individual donations via a “Pass the Boot” collection throughout the game. There were also several local partners who generously assisted with donations, according to a news release.
"The Sod Poodles would like to thank The People’s Federal Credit Union for allowing all the proceeds to go to the Amarillo Area Foundation Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund," the release states. "A special thanks also goes out to Second Chance Animal Rescue (SCAR) of Amarillo, which was originally scheduled to be the beneficiary of the Star Wars Night jersey auction but elected to move its jersey auction to a later date in the season to accommodate the disaster relief fund."
“The Sod Poodles are very fortunate to have the best fans in Minor League Baseball and partners who care deeply about the people of the panhandle and stepped up to help our community,” said Sod Poodles President and General Manager, Tony Ensor. “With the help of so many, including Jerry and Margaret Hodge, Street Auto Group and their employees, Fairly Group, Happy State Bank, Cacique Foods, Northwest Texas Healthcare System, B&J Welding, and Yellowhouse Machinery, our community was able to come together to support the families and communities affected by the recent events. Neighbors helping neighbors is what the panhandle is all about and we could not be prouder to be a part of a community with such loyal fans and partners.”
As relief efforts continue, those interested in continuing to support the recovery are encouraged to visit amarilloareafoundation.org/disaster .
WT professor’s new book offers advice for first-generation college students
CANYON — A West Texas A&M University faculty member’s new book speaks directly to students facing fears about being the first in their family to attend college. “First-Gen Stories for Success,” available now in hardback and ebook formats from Kendall Hunt Publishing, features 12 chapters written by Dr. George Pacheco Jr., WT associate professor of communication, and several WT colleagues, as well as scholars from around the country.
Pacheco, a professor in WT’s Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, said he hopes first-generation students “get a sense of self” from reading the essays.
“I want them to see themselves walking down a path that others have successfully crossed,” Pacheco said. “We wrote this directly to students, not to academics.”
Essays discuss the balance between a student’s goals and their family’s plans, the importance of student organizations and mentorship, and how to create a path to success, among other topics.
Other WT authors included in “First-Gen Stories” are Dr. Shanna Peeples, WT’s John G. O’Brien Distinguished Chair in Education; Dr. Nancy Garcia, assistant professor of media communication; Dr. Lisa Garza, associate professor of sociology; and Jonathan Cordova, program coordinator for Study Abroad and Nationally Competitive Scholarships.
WT student to study in South Korea thanks to state department scholarship
CANYON — A West Texas A&M University student who grew up in foster care now will study in his ancestral home in South Korea for the 2023-24 academic year thanks to a generous scholarship from the U.S. Department of State.
Noah Wolff, a sophomore biology major from Pampa, will study at Chonnam National University in Gwanju beginning in August after receiving a $7,000 Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship from the State Department. The Gilman Scholarship enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to national security and economic prosperity, according to the State Department.
“This really means a lot,” Wolff said. “The biggest issue with traveling was that I couldn’t afford it. Going abroad is a super expensive proposition. This is going to change my life.”
Wolff, who said he is on the autism spectrum, plans to attend work in neuroscience, inspired not only by his own life experiences but also those acquired while working at the Center for Autism in Denver during a gap year before starting his studies at WT.
Wolff was adopted by a single father with financial struggles. After graduating from high school, the family of his biological father made contact with him, including his paternal grandmother in Oklahoma City.
“She did not speak a lick of English, so I learned Korean so I could talk to her,” Wolff said. “She really changed the way I viewed the world.”
When Wolff returns to campus, he hopes to find ways to increase the visibility of Asian culture on campus.
Curry County roads still closed due to flooding, hazards or damage
The torrential rains and unprecedented flooding during this month have been very challenging, the Curry County Road Department said in a June 27 udpate. A significant number of roads are damaged, hazardous and/or closed due to flooding. The following roads are closed:
CR20 and CRD - Intersection
CRL between CR19 and CR21
CRN between CR14 and CR16
CR22 between CRF and CRG
CR23 between CRH and CRI
CR17 between NM108 and CRC
"We are requesting all persons to pay close attention to road conditions and exercise extreme caution while driving county roads," a news release states. "Thank you for your assistance. Questions or concerns, or notifications of roads may be addressed to Walon Jones or Gordon Beevers at (575) 762-1501."
APD to take part in National Night Out 2023, to be held Oct. 3
National Night Out time will be held Tuesday, Oct. 3, according to the Amarillo Police Department (APD).
"National Night Out is an annual event hosted by the National Association of Town Watch and occurs the first Tuesday of October in Texas," APD said in an update. "The Amarillo Police Department participates in National Night Out and is proud of the commitment our community has to this program."
The primary purpose of National Night Out is to get neighbors to leave their front porch lights on, showing their support with their local police departments in the fight against crime, APD said. Neighbors are encouraged to get out of their houses and meet other neighbors in the area and get to know them. The theory being that if neighbors meet and get to know each other, they are more apt to report suspicious activity in their neighborhood rather than “look the other way” when they see something noteworthy. When you know your neighbors and watch out for them, overall crime in the area is reduced.
"Having a block party or neighborhood gathering is the easiest way to get neighbors together. Many of the events will cook out or have a potluck to feed anyone who shows up," APD said. "Some of the neighborhoods have bouncy houses, face painting, and other things for children to do. Adults can take this time to meet other neighbors, talk with the officers about neighborhood issues, or just visit and get to know the officers that work in their city."
APD said it will come to as many block parties as possible in the time limit given. Although the Crime Prevention Unit is responsible for coordinating National Night Out, assistance from other officers is critical. Patrol officers are encouraged to attend as many parties as their call load will allow. Block parties and activities usually begin at 6 p.m. and go until 9 p.m.
National Night Out is one of the high points of the year for Crime Prevention. Officers look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones as well. For information on organizing a National Night Out party in your neighborhood, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 806-378-4257 or APDCrimePrev@amarillo.gov .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for the week of July 2, 2023
