By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
As the season of giving approaches, check out these November events designed to raise funds and provide fun.
Books to Broadway
The annual Books to Broadway fundraiser for Friends of the Amarillo Public Library's educational programs will feature a night of songs from musicals inspired by books.
The free event — which includes a silent auction, cash bar, and complimentary coffee and desserts — will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St.
The "Kids Lit on Broadway" concert will feature selections from Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, Seussical the Musical, The Secret Garden, The Wizard of Oz, Matilda and more. The show is directed by Robert Hansen, a stage veteran and director of West Texas A&M University's School of Music.
Call 806-378-3051.
Christmas Roundup
The Christmas Roundup holiday market returns for a 37th year in November with more than 150 booths.
Shopping hours are noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex North and South Exhibit Halls, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Special early hours are 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 3; the first 100 attendees will get a special giftbag, and Amarillo Youth Choir will perform. A cocktails and shopping event runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 3, as well; tickets are $20, including one drink ticket.
Kids can enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus from 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 4 and crafts and cookies with the holiday duo from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 4
Admission is $8; ages 12 and younger are free. Proceeds benefit AMoA Alliance.
Call 806-371-5050.
Mentoring Matters
Former Dallas Cowboys star Darrin Smith will headline the Mentoring Matters luncheon for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Texas Panhandle.
Smith, who was with the team when it won the Super Bowl twice, was a little brother in the program beginning in 1978.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 3, but the line to take photos with Smith (with a $25 fee) opens at 11 a.m. The event takes place at Embassy Suites Amarillo, 550 S. Buchanan St.
Tickets are $100, and tables are $1,000.
Call 806-351-2210.
Murder Mystery Dinner
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum will offer patrons the chance to solve a time-travel themed mystery over a catered dinner.
The Great Scott! event will feature Doc and Marty (guess where they're from) trying to help different pop-culture icons back to their correct era. Performers from West Texas A&M University's Department of Art, Theatre and Dance and the Improv Agents will act out the various characters.
Two dinners will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 at the museum, 2503 Fourth Ave. Only 130 seats are available each night. Tickets are $75 each or $140 for a pair (or $70 and $130 for members).
Call 806-651-2242.
YC3: Extra Life
Gamers of all kinds can take part in a 12-hour gaming marathon to raise funds for Children's Miracle Network of Amarillo.
Yellow City Comic Con's Extra Life, part of a national series of events, begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 4 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Attendees can play (casually or in tournaments) a selection of games, including Magic the Gathering, Smash Bros., Pokemon, YuGiOh, Mortal Kombat, Marvel vs. Capcom, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Injustice 2, Hearthstone, Warmachine, Duelist, Chronicle and more.
Professional gamers will perform live speed runs, compete against attendees and more.
Participants pay a $10 entry fee and set up a page to fundraise through Facebook and other social media.
Call 806-331-6936.
Cattle Barons Ball
Red Dirt favorites Great Divide will headline the annual Cattle Barons Ball on Nov. 4.
The fundraiser for the American Cancer Society begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 4, with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., at the Rex Baxter Building on the Tri-State Fairgrounds, 3301 S.E. 10th Ave.
The event includes dinner from The Big Texan, a bar and the concert and dancing.
Call 432-353-4306.
One-on-One
Learn more about how personal interaction can begin the process of ending homelessness in this art silent auction fundraiser.
The Panhandle Adult Rebuilding Center, 413 S.W. Sixth Ave., offers homeless adults a place to come during the day to take part in projects and activities and "be productive," said executive director Valerie Gooch.
"That helps them remember their value, to remember who they are, and to get out of the cycle of homelessness," Gooch said.
As part of one of those projects, clients have made a piece of art inspired by a photo of an empty chair. Those works will be sold in a silent auction at the One-on-One fundraiser at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Derrick Event Center, 814 S. Taylor St.
The event also will feature a live auction, heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and live music.
Tickets are $40. Proceeds will help PARC stay open five days a week instead of four, Gooch said.
Call 806-367-8024.
Music is Monumental
Student musicians of all ages will be featured at a Nov. 8 fundraiser for Amarillo Symphony Guild.
The third annual Music is Monumental luncheon begins at noon in the Loft at Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St.
The luncheon will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra.
Admission is free, but seating is limited. Donations will benefit the Guild's educational programs.
Call 806-681-8724 or 806-655-7604.
Ruffles and Rust Expo
A Christmas pop-up shopping experience will raise funds for San Jacinto Christian Academy.
Ruffles and Rust will offer holiday shopping from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 11 at the school, 501 S. Carolina St.
Admission is $5 for ages 13 and older and free for 12 and younger. Proceeds go to the school.
Call 806-372-2285.
Turnabout
Lip-syncing a-go-go: The Bowery will transform into a rollicking nightclub for the annual Turnabout fundraiser.
The Panhandle AIDS Support Organization event begins at 8 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Bowery, 100 S. Lincoln St.
The cross-dressing entertainment extravaganza will feature performers Ben Bautista, Schae Burley, Rafael Canizares, Wendy Clay, Renee Dauntes, Charles Davis, Adam Gonzales, Sallye Hand, Kevin Locke, Michael Maupins, Holly Mitchell, Kimberly Pride and Jena Stafford. They'll portray stars like Dusty Springfield, Lady Gaga, Jerry Lee Lewis, Beyoncé, Nancy Sinatra, the Blues Brothers, Amii Stewart, Gnarls Barkley, Tom Jones, comedian Tony Clifton and more.
The event also will feature a silent and live auction.
General admission is $25. Cabaret seating for two is $40 each. Table seating is $80 or $125, or $640 or $1,000 for tables of eight. Drink tickets are included with admission, and finger foods and champagne is available for those with table seating.
Call 806-372-1050.
National Philanthropy Day
Area benefactors will be honored at the annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 16.
The luncheon — held by the Texas Plains chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals — begins at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 16 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Honorees will include: Amarillo Area Chapter of Credit Unions as outstanding community service organization; Associated Supply Co. and Bell Helicopter as outstanding large businesses; students in Jeff Frazer's Caprock High School government class as outstanding youth in philanthropy; Joe Ed Coffman as outstanding volunteer fundraiser; Maria DeBrango Stickel as outstanding fundraising professional; Perry Gilmore for the Spirit of Philanthropy award; Carol and James Hicks for outstanding philanthropists; and the Turn Center Tornadoes for outstanding youth in philanthropy. (Additionally, I'll be honored as outstanding media.)
Tables are $375 to $3,000. Individual seats are $50; for those, call Dyann Folker at 806-654-2599.
Festival of Trees
One-of-a-kind Christmas trees will be auctioned off at the annual Festival of Trees fundraiser.
The event, which benefits Panhandle Community Services, features trees decorated by local businesses and community groups. It begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 16 at Soncy Medical Center, 3501 S. Soncy Road.
The party also will feature drinks, dinner, a silent auction and live music.
Call 806-372-2531.
Sporting Clay Shoot
Take aim on this fundraiser for the West Texas A&M University Foundation.
The Sporting Clay Shoot begins at 10 a.m. Nov. 18 at River Breaks Ranch, 7802 Durret Drive; check-in is 9 a.m. Participants will shoot 100 targets.
Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 17, though, with a calcutta auction, where participants can place bids on teams. The event — to be held at J. Brex Company at Atrium Plaza, 619 S. Tyler St. — will include dinner from O.H.M.S. Cafe & Bar and an open bar.
Entry fee, which includes admission to the dinner, is $250, with sponsorships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
Call 806-651-2663.
Nutcracker Ball
Kick off the holiday season with Lone Star Ballet's annual Nutcracker Ball.
The Waltz of the Flowers ball begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 in the Amarillo Civic Center Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St.
The party includes a champagne fountain, appetizers, a fur show, a children's area, silent auction, dancing and a sales area with an array of nutcrackers.
Dress is black-tie or holiday attire.
Tickets are $150 or $500, with tables available for $1,000 to $10,000.
Proceeds benefit the LSB Guild and the ballet.
Call 806-372-2463.
Original Toy Run
Rev up those motorcycles for the annual Toy Run for Salvation Army.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 at Tripp's Harley-Davidson, 6040 W. Interstate 40. The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the shop and ends at Advo Co., 5241 S. Washington St., with a party featuring food, free beverage, prize drawings, music and more.
Cost is $15, a new toy or both.
Call 806-352-2021.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
