By Chip Chandler — Producer
September is full of tasty, active ways to give back to good causes. Mark your calendars now for these fundraising events!
Amarillo Crime Stoppers Car Show
The 10th annual Amarillo Crime Stoppers Car Show will feature dozens of cars inside the Amarillo Civic Center Complex.
It'll run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 1 throughout the Amarillo Civic Center Complex, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Admission is $5 for ages 11 and older.
Proceeds benefit Amarillo Crime Stoppers and Student Crime Stoppers.
Call 806-374-4400.
Tribute to the Greatest Generation
The fourth annual Tribute to the Greatest Generation will commemorate the official end of World War II with dinner and dancing to big band music.
Patrick Swindell & Esquire Jazz will perform, and a tribute will be given to those who served in the war.
The event begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Texas Air & Space Museum, 10001 American Drive.
Tickets are $50 or $35 for military.
Call 806-374-2006.
United Way Kickoff Luncheon
The United Way of Amarillo and Canyon's 2018-19 campaign will launch at a Sept. 6 annual luncheon.
The event — featuring a keynote speech from David Brown, former Dallas Police Department chief — will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Heritage Ballroom, 401 S. Buchanan St.
Campaign co-chairs Dane Williams of Valero and Amarillo Police Department Chief Ed Drain will speak, as well.
Tickets are $30 or $240 for a table of eight.
Call 806-376-6359, ext. 215.
Friends of Fogelberg
The annual benefit concert celebrates 10 years with a two-night event.
The Surprise Concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 and 7 in the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, 500 S. Buchanan St.
Acclaimed bassist and producer Norbert Putnam will appear at the concerts.
Performers will include Anderson, Flesher & Key; Irma-Esther Borup; Carlos Casso; Charlie Clinton; Joe Ed Coffman; James Davis; Mike Fuller; Gary Guinn; Bob Hopkins; Insufficient Funds; Maddison Jackson; Tony Naples; Maggie Scales; Nick Scales; John Shanks; Buddy Squyres; Russell Steadman; Russ Teweleit; Bond Jessup Thompson; Randy Tupin; Cathleen Tyson; and Robert Workman. Dr. Richard Kibbey is host.
Tickets are $20 and available at PanhandleTickets, United Supermarkets and the Amarillo Civic Center Box Office.
Proceeds will benefit Harrington Cancer & Health Foundation and Heal the City.
Free PSA screenings will be available from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 8 at 24 Hours in the Canyon Cancer Survivorship Center, 4514-B Cornell St.
Call 806-378-3096.
Get Fit Mayor's Race
Lace up your running shoes for the Mayor's Race half-marathon and 5K.
The runs will begin at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 8 at Get Fit, 1911 S. Georgia St.
Onlookers can enjoy kids' games, food trucks and more, plus the Slack-a-Thon .5K run (see below).
Entry fee is $25 for the 5K and $75 for the half-marathon; fees increase $5 on packet pick-up day (4:30 p.m. Sept. 7).
Proceeds will benefit The Bridge children's advocacy center.
Call 806-350-4262.
Up in the Air for Family Care
Three days of activities are planned for the ninth Up in the Air for Family Care Balloon Rally.
Hot air balloons will inflate and (weather permitting) launch at several Amarillo schools and Happy State Bank, 5100 S. Coulter St., on Sept. 7, but the main action begins with a launch from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Sept. 8 at John Stiff Memorial Park, 4800 S. Bell St. Breakfast vendors, coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast burritos will be available.
The balloon glow will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8 at the park, featuring live music with Noah Jenda and others, food and merchandise vendors, bounce houses and more, ending with (weather permitting) a glow at sunset.
The event will close with a balloon glow and (weather permitting) launch from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at the park, also featuring breakfast vendors, coffee, hot chocolate and breakfast burritos.
Admission is free. Donations will benefit the Family Care Foundation, which assists those in financial need during a one-time medical emergency.
Call 806-622-9473.
Dianne Bosch Memorial Softball Tournament
The third annual Dianne Bosch Memorial Softball Tournament will look for home runs in memory of the late police officer, Amarillo city commissioner and justice of the peace.
The event will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 8 at Southeast Ballpark, 4301 S. Osage St. Entry fee is $200 per team in either men's or co-ed divisions, but spectators can watch for free.
The tournament also will feature a homerun derby, children's activities, a prize drawing and more.
Proceeds from team entry fees and more will benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
Call 806-420-3550.
Great Strides 2018
Lace up your walking shoes for a fundraising event for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Great Strides 2018 will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 8 at Medical Center Park, 1100 Wallace Blvd.
Registration is free, but fundraising is encouraged among walkers.
Call 806-451-5211.
Wings of Hope
Remember lost loved ones with a butterfly release celebration.
Hope and Healing Place will host Wings of Hope at 10 a.m. Sept. 8 in Memorial Park, 2501 S. Washington St.
A walk will take place at 10:30 a.m., and butterflies will be released around 11 a.m.
Individual butterflies can be purchased for $25, with proceeds benefitting the grief support service.
Call 806-371-8998.
Slack-a-Thon
Slackers rejoice: Here's an event for you.
The first annual Slack-a-Thon .5K run will begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Shops at Wolflin Square, 1932 Civic Circle.
The half-kilometer fun run will include beer stations, doughnut and coffee stations, activities and more.
Entry fee is $30. Proceeds benefit Martha's Home.
Call 806-372-4035.
A Red & White Affair
Dress to impress at Delta Sigma Theta's A Red & White Affair.
The downtown party will begin at 8 p.m. Sept. 8 at In This Moment, 707 S. Polk St.
The event will feature photos, hors d'oeuvres and drink set-ups; BYOB is encouraged.
Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the door. Proceeds will benefit DST's community service projects.
Call 806-584-1365.
Savor the Goods
Join Panhandle PBS for the next Savor the Goods, a farm-to-table evening featuring Chef Sam Blackburn.
The fundraiser will run 6 to 8 p.m. at The Amarillo Botanical Gardens, 1400 Streit Drive. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Blackburn has created a special menu using meat and vegetables sourced in the Texas Panhandle region. The menu will include a caprese salad, butternut squash soup, slow roasted pork shoulder with seasonal roasted vegetables, and rhubarb panna cotta.
Following a happy hour at 5:30 p.m., the chef will demonstrate a recipe from the meal at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner service at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $75, including dinner and drinks. The evening is sponsored by the Gilliland Family Foundation and Blackburn & Brown Law Firm.
Call 806-371-5477.
Pearls & Bowties
A cocktail party will help raise funds for college-bound students.
The Pearls & Bowties party will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 in the Skyline Room on the 16th floor of Amarillo National Bank Plaza One, 410 S. Taylor St.
The event will feature drinks, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and entertainment.
Tickets are $40. Proceeds benefit the College Success Initiative's Youth Success Project, which offers free college preparatory classes to students in sixth through 12th grades, dual-credit scholarships and college visitation.
Call 806-322-2553.
Amarillo Walk to End Alzheimer's
An Amarillo Walk to End Alzheimer's is set for 9 a.m. Sept. 15 at Sam Houston Park, Line Avenue and Western Street.
Participants can raise money to benefit Amarillo Alzheimer's Association. Register online or at 9 a.m. Sept. 15.
A ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a two-mile walk at 10:30 a.m.
Call 806-881-7145.
Amarillo Police Department Benefit Fundraiser
Enjoy a hot lunch and support the men and women in blue.
The annual Amarillo Police Department Benefit Fundraiser will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Amarillo Civic Center Complex Grand Plaza, 401 S. Buchanan St.
For a $7 donation, attendees can enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and a soft drink.
Proceeds benefit the APD Benefit Fund, which supports families of wounded or fallen officers.
Call 806-378-4258.
Horns & Heels Gala
Advo Companies will celebrate the start of a new expansion at this year's Horns & Heels Gala.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Advo, 5241 S. Washington St. Tickets are $3,000 per table of eight; sponsorships are available.
The Horns & Heels event kicks off a roping competition earlier that day, beginning at 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at Will Rogers Range Riders arena, 313 W. Loop 335 South.
Roping continues at 9 a.m. Sept. 22 and 23.
Advo provides vocational training and residential homes for people with intellectual disabilities. In Phase 1 of its expansion project, it will add a shopping center that will employ its clients, while Phases 2 and 3 will include a special-needs park and a gymnasium.
Call 806-342-0600.
Race for the Cure
The annual Race for the Cure will again color downtown Amarillo pink.
Participants will raise money to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation on Sept. 22.
Morning activities begin at 7 a.m. Sept. 22 with a survivor breakfast, followed by the 8 a.m. start for the 5K competitive race and opening of the expo. The 5K and one mile fun run/walk begins at 9:15 a.m. The race kicks off at Amarillo National Bank Plaza II, 500 S. Taylor St.
Registration can be done online or in person at 4 p.m. Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 21 or 6:30 to 9 a.m. Sept. 22 at ANB Plaza II.
Registration fees are $35 for adults, $30 for survivors, $20 for children, or $40 the day of the race. The fee is $25 to "sleep in for the cure."
Call 806-354-9706.
Fall Cruizer Car Show
The Top of Texas Chevy Club will host its 31st annual Fall Cruizer Car Show on Sept. 22.
The event will open at 10 a.m. Sept. 22 in Area 14 at Thompson Park, 2401 Dumas Drive.
Ten divisions will compete: street rods, antiques older than 1975, cars from 1949 to 1964, cars from 1965 to 1970, cars from 1971 to 1985, cars from 1986 to present, trucks 1966 and older, trucks from 1967 to present, Chevrolets from 1955 to 1957, and rat rods.
Entry fee is $20. Proceeds will benefit Meals on Wheels.
Call 806-433-4471.
Wing Wars
Texas country favorite William Clark Green will headline the annual wing-cooking competition for Amarillo Montessori Academy.
Wing Wars will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive.
Tickets are $30 for adults, $12 for ages 6 to 12 and $60 for VIP admission, plus fees.
Registration for cook teams is $100. Deadline is Sept. 14.
Proceeds benefit Amarillo Montessori Academy.
Call 806-353-3871 or email info@amarillomontessori.com.
Jazz and Champagne Brunch
Enjoy hot tunes and bubbly drinks at this fundraiser for Arts in the Sunset.
The Jazz and Champagne Brunch will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 23 at the art gallery, 3701 Plains Blvd.
The Martinis will perform, and Lost Cajun will cater brunch. Artists from the expansive gallery will sell works, and children's activities are planned, as well.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 8 and younger. Tables are available from $250 to $1,000.
Call 806-310-2600.
Una Gran Cena
Celebrate and support the mission of the Amarillo Wesley Community Center at the annual Una Gran Cena.
The fiesta dinner begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at Polk Street United Methodist Church, 1401 S. Polk St.
David Elizalde, owner of David's Quality Electric and David's Quality Contracting, will give the keynote address.
Tickets are $40; sponsorships are available.
Call 806-372-7960.
Signature Chefs
The annual Signature Chefs event, which showcases several top Amarillo culinary minds, will return Sept. 27.
The March of Dimes fundraiser will begin at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at Embassy Suites Downtown, 550 S. Buchanan St.
It will include tasting-size samples at several tables created by top chefs around the city.
Tickets are $200, with sponsorships available.
Call 806-670-0188.
Delicious Wishes Burger Bash
The third-annual competition to decide the best burger in the Panhandle will return Sept. 27.
Delicious Wishes Burger Bash will open at 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Cornerstone Ranch Event Center, 1901 Cement Plant Road.
Amarillo-area restaurants and cook teams will cook for attendees. The event also will include silent and live auctions.
Tickets are $50 each, with sponsorships available from $700 to $10,000.
Proceeds benefit Make-A-Wish North Texas.
Call 806-358-9943.
Pancake & Sausage Festival
Chow down on flapjacks and more at the annual Amarillo Downtown Lions Club breakfast.
The all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage festival will run from 7 a.m. to noon Sept. 29 at Tascosa High School, 3921 Westlawn.
The event also will include a chalk art contest at 7 a.m.; entry fee is $15 for kindergarten through fifth grade and $20 for sixth grade through adults, all including one ticket for pancakes. A car show and a bike/trike show will begin at 8:30 a.m.; entry fee for each is $20, including one ticket for pancakes.
Breakfast tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door; children younger than 5 are free.
Proceeds will benefit the Lions Club Foundation Charities, including Texas Lions Camp, High Plains Eyeglass Foundation, Lions Eye Bank, Texas Ramp Project, One Chair at a Time, 7 Star Equine Therapy, Leader Dog and more.
Call 806-373-0648.
Buddy Walk
The Panhandle Down Syndrome Guild will host its 17th annual Buddy Walk on Sept. 29.
The Get Down on Route 66 Walk will begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 29 at Sam Houston Park, 4101 Line Ave.
The event also will feature food, games and prizes.
Funds will be raised via T-shirt sales. Shirts are $25 each.
Call 806-670-1568 or 806-678-4450.
Canadian River Beach Club Calf Fry & BBQ Cook-off
Texas country star Kyle Park will headline the 10th annual Canadian River Beach Club cook-off.
The IBCA-sanctioned Calf Fry & BBQ competition will open at 9 a.m. Sept. 29 at the Canadian River Beach Club, 1101 N. Sixth St. in Canadian.
The party also will feature food samples, a craft show, bounce houses and music from both Park and Shea Abshier & The Nighthowlers.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 17. Proceeds will benefit several Canadian charities.
Call 806-217-2703.
The Great Epilepsy Steakout
Chow down on freshly grilled steaks at the country-chic Great Epilepsy Steakout gala.
The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at Starlight Ranch Event Center, 1415 Sunrise Drive.
The Big Texan will provide food, while Amarillo country act The Buster Bledsoe Band will perform. The event also will feature casino games and a live and silent auction.
Tickets are $60 each, with sponsorship tables available from $450 to $5,000. Music-only tickets are $10 for Bledsoe's 8 p.m. performance.
Proceeds benefit Epilepsy Foundation Texas — West Texas.
Call 806-352-5426.
Amarillo Scaregrounds
An early peek at Amarillo Scaregrounds will scare up funds for a charity for the homeless.
Proceeds from the Amarillo haunt's Sept. 29 sneak preview will benefit Mustard Street Charities, which provides support and basic items for the homeless population.
Hours are 7 p.m. to midnight at the haunt, 2736 S.W. 10th Ave.
Tickets are $25.
Call 806-367-9516.
Chip Chandler is a producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
