Family Support Services to host 15th annual Mardi Gras Party fundraiser
Family Support Services of Amarillo’s 15th Annual Mardi Gras Party is set to take place Feb. 22 at the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom.
The highly anticipated yearly fundraiser benefits Family Support Services (FSS) and supports vital programs for families, veterans, and youth in the Texas Panhandle, and the nonprofit is aiming to raise $100,000 this year. The Mardi Gras Party promises an unforgettable evening filled with vibrant entertainment, including live music by The Solano Project, a photo booth, casino, auctions, and more. Guests will be able to enjoy the food, party favors, and unique experiences that celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras.
As seen in this February 2024 file photo, a crowd of more than 750 people turned up to raise money for the Family Support Services’ annual Mardi Gras Party at the Heritage Room in downtown Amarillo.
Proceeds from this event directly support FSS programs, including safe housing for families escaping violence, youth prevention programs, and trauma recovery services. Tickets are $75 per person, and various levels for tables and sponsorships are available. To purchase tickets or inquire about sponsorships, call 806-342-2500 or email breed@fss-ama.org.
In this January 2024 file photo, executive director of Storybridge Chandra Perkins and volunteers from AmeriCorps work at the third annual “Dream and Donate” book drive at United Supermarkets on Bell Street in Amarillo. This year’s event will be Jan. 25.
Storybridge invites community to donate children’s books at ‘Dream & Donate’
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Storybridge will host its 4th Annual Dream & Donate Children’s Book Drive. The event will be held in the parking lot of the United Supermarket at 45th & Bell. A drop-off box will also be available at the United in Canyon for those wishing to donate books.
“We began this event to honor Dr. MLK Jr. by translating our care for neighbors into action,” says Storybridge Executive Director Chandra Perkins. “Last year, the community donated almost 15,000 books. This year’s goal is 18,000, which would help over 3,000 children choose their own personal book collection.”
Storybridge is asking for new or gently used books for babies through 5th grade. They are also encouraging community members to organize a group of friends, coworkers, or neighbors to collect books as a team. All donated books will be distributed free of charge through Storybridge programs, which include Book Trailer visits, Summer Storytime, Little Free Libraries, Kinderbridge, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Storybridge’s mission is to ensure every child in Amarillo owns at least 20 high-quality, age-appropriate books by 5th grade, enters kindergarten ready to read, and benefits fully from literacy. For more information about Storybridge, visit storybridgeama.org.
Discover your inner hero and replenish the blood supply with Coffee Memorial Blood Center
Those who have ever dreamed of becoming a real-life hero can make that a reality when they donate blood with Coffee Memorial Blood Center (CMBC). “Winter weather has impacted CMBC’s blood supply, and we need local heroes like you to step up and make a difference,” a release states.
Successful CMBC donors will receive a limited-edition, multiverse-themed T-shirt while supplies last. Donors will also receive a free pass to Escape the Trap House.
“Our donors are true heroes, stepping up to save lives when it’s needed most,” said Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of Coffee Memorial Blood Center. “January is a particularly challenging month for blood donations, so we invite everyone to discover their inner hero and take just an hour to give the gift of life. Together, we can ensure patients get the lifesaving care they need.”
Anyone who is healthy and at least age 16 can give blood. The process typically takes about an hour, and one donation saves up to three lives. Appointments can be made online at obi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. Walk-ins are also welcome. For the younger donors, 16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission, and 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds. Those who are 18 or older must weigh at least 110 pounds, and a photo ID is required.
This week’s Amarillo Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pet of the week is Ringo, an 8-month-old Yorkshire Terrier mix.
ASPCA Furry Friend of the week: Ringo
This week’s Amarillo Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals pet of the week is Ringo. He is an 8-month-old Yorkshire Terrier mix.
“This sweet, cute little guy is good with all ages of people. He is active and playful, and he has a medium length coat of gold and white. We don’t believe he is housebroken, so will need instruction in a new home environment.”
Amarillo SPCA adoptions can be done at the shelter, 11901 S. Coulter St., noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please call 806-622-0555. Other pets can be viewed online at www.amarillospcashelter.com or www.adoptapet.com.
Catalytic Converter Stamping Event set for Jan. 30
The Amarillo Police Department noted recently that the Panhandle Auto Burglary & Theft Unit is hosting a Catalytic Converter Stamping Event and said it is one of the best ways to prevent theft and aid in recovery if your converter is ever stolen. The event is set to take place 1-3 p.m. Jan. 30 at 13651 I-40 West, in the barn behind the Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 office.
The event is free and open to the public, and citizens are encouraged to take part in this opportunity to protect their vehicles and deter thieves. For any questions, call 806-379-2871.
Nominations sought for WT Distinguished Alumni Award
CANYON — The nomination period for West Texas A&M University’s Distinguished Alumni Award is open now through Feb. 28.
The WT Distinguished Alumni Award, first presented in 1970, honors outstanding alumni who have made significant contributions to society, and whose accomplishments, affiliations and careers have honored the legacy of excellence at WT. Nominations may be filed online at buffalum.com/distinguished-alumni-awards.html. Supporting materials may be sent to Hall at rhall@wtamu.edu.
Those selected as 2025 Distinguished Alumni will be announced in August and celebrated in the fall at the Phoenix banquet during Homecoming Week.
Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains kicks off 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Season
It’s Girl Scout Cookie Season again: The annual girl-led entrepreneurship program runs Jan. 10 to March 2.
Participating scouts acquire important life skills such as goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics, and all proceeds from cookie sales stay with local councils and troops to power Girl Scouts’ amazing experiences year-round.
“Girl Scouts are entrepreneurial powerhouses creating a more equitable future for themselves and the world. It warms my heart to see young women learning skills they can benefit from today and in their future,” says Becky Burton, CEO of Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains. “Every box of cookies sold provides invaluable experiences for Girl Scouts such as service projects, travel, and summer camp.”
If you know a registered Girl Scout, reach out to her to find out how she’s selling cookies, or visit gs-strong.org/findcookies to find a booth near you. For those who want to support Girl Scouts without buying cookies, they can stop by any Cookie Booth and donate to Cookies for Heroes, with the cookie purchases donated to a first responder in their area.
Through programs throughout north and west Texas and the Oklahoma panhandle, Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains helps Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. To join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit gs-top.org.
Opportunity School holding Valentine’s Cookie Sale
Amarillo’s Opportunity School is gearing up once again for its popular Valentine’s Cookie Sale. Thanks to local sponsors and the amazing baking team at United Supermarkets, Opportunity School will deliver thousands of cookies on Friday, Feb. 14. Surprise your sweetheart, co-workers, or child’s teacher thisValentine’s Day with these treats; the cost is $25.
“People can purchase two dozen delicious thumbprint cookies online, which are packaged in a decorative box and delivered to the address of their choice in Amarillo or Canyon,” says Opportunity School Executive Director Jill Goodrich. “It’s a wonderful way to surprise a loved one, all while supporting a great cause.”
One hundred percent of the proceeds for each box of cookies sold goes directly to help children and families served by Opportunity School, thanks to sponsors who underwrite the cost of the cookie sale. Anyone interested in becoming a sponsor ($250) or in ordering cookies ($25/box), may do soonline at opportunityschool.com/cookie-sale or by calling (806) 373-4245. Orders of 15 or more boxeswill be eligible to be a sponsor and have their logo added to the insert card packaged with each box.
All orders must be made by Feb. 7 before midnight.
Amarillo Police Department warns of new animal control scam
The Amarillo Police Department is warning the public about a new scam they learned about this week. APD said they received sample text messages from a citizen who was being targeted by someone claiming to be an officer with Animal Control. “The scammer claimed to have found the citizen’s dog and asked for a confirmation PIN — likely as a setup to eventually demand money to ‘return’ the dog. All of this was done via text,” APD said via Facebook.
If you’ve lost your dog, visit the Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare (AAMW) office in person at South Osage to check for your pet. While there may be a fee to reclaim your dog, AAMW will not text you or request payment through messages.
If you’re unsure, always look up the official AAMW phone number and call them directly.
Randall County Sheriff’s Office: Storm drainage upgrades in works near railroad crossing
The Randall County Sheriff’s Office said this week that Randall County Road & Bridge has plans to upgrade the storm drainage system on Country Club Road at the bottom of the storm creek, east of I-27 and the BNSF Railway Crossing.
The upgrade will include removing the existing culverts and guardrail fence and replacing those with five new concrete box culverts and a guardrail fence. The culverts will be 6′ tall x 10′ wide to span 50 feet across the storm channel, to help relieve the tendency of Country Club Road to flood during storm events, RCSO said.
The detour is slated to begin tentatively on Jan. 20, and the detour route during the six-week construction phase will consist of using Rockwell to Western and then utilizing White Fence Road down to Palo Duro Club Road. The houses between the creek channel and BNSF Railway will still have access from I-27; only the creek crossing itself will be closed on Country Club Road
TxDOT begins $30 million safety project on business I-40
Beginning Thursday, crews were set to begin work on a $30 million safety improvement project on business I-40 that aims to improve the safety and connectivity for multiple forms of transportation from I-40 near Hope Road to SW Ninth Avenue.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Amarillo office said crews will construct shared-use paths, safety lighting, median barrier, pavement overlay and upgrade median crossovers for the traveling public. Drivers can expect possible lane closures as work progresses on the project, which is expected to be completed in December 2026.
Please drive with caution and reduce speed through all work zones. All projects are subject to change due to weather, emergency work and other unexpected events. For the most up-to-date road conditions, visit www.drivetexas.org.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Community news: FSS to host 15th annual Mardi Gras Party fundraiser