2025 The Time is NOW - Celebrating Our Legacy, Funding Our Future

Wheeler Sports partners again with the Amarillo Area Foundation - “The Panhandle Gives” Campaign to support Tom Britt Memorial Park plans.  

The Wheeler Sports organization, in partnership with The Panhandle Gives campaign, is excited to announce a series of commUNITY events this holiday season to raise funds for continued enhancements to Tom Britt Memorial Park. This year’s theme and tagline, “The Time is NOW: Celebrating our legacy, funding our future!”  highlights Wheeler’s proud history, while building toward a brighter tomorrow. The partnership with Amarillo Area Foundation’s campaign allows our dollars to be multiplied through their Amplification Fund.

A centerpiece of this year’s campaign will be the creation and burial of a Wheeler Time Capsule in Tom Britt Memorial Park. Community members are encouraged to contribute items that represent Wheeler County and the impact of sports across the decades. The goal is to collect at least one item from each decade to preserve our shared story for future generations.

We are also looking to feature athletes' stories, ones with ties to Wheeler County. Share a story and a picture with us at wheelertxsports@gmail.com, so we can feature them on our social media, print and during our “The Panhandle Gives” Campaign. Our heart is to show off our amazing commUNITY and those who have made a difference in sports throughout the decades and has ties with Wheeler County.

CommUNITY Events:

Change vs. Cash Challenge → November 17th – 20th

• ALL Wheeler County ISDs are welcomed to compete in ‘Change vs Cash’ FUNdraiser

• Students will decorate water jugs around this year’s theme of "through the decades” (water jugs provided).

• Coins +ADD to a class total, while paper cash --SUBTRACTS from the class total.

• After collection, jugs will be displayed in local businesses to continue raising funds leading up to the end of The Panhandle Gives week (December 2nd). 

• Winners from each school will be involved in curating items for the Wheeler Time Capsule that highlight Wheeler in 2025, and help decide where to bury it on July 4, 2026 at Tom Britt Memorial Park.

Movie Marathon Fundraiser → November 23rd (Sunday)

• A commUNITY movie day featuring films from different decades for a family-friendly kickoff to the giving week that blends fun, nostalgia, and FUNdraising.

• Concession sales will be a fundraiser for The Panhandle Gives, and run by Wheeler Sports volunteers.

  
  

Decades Dress-Up & Shop Local Campaign → November 24th – December 2nd

• Local businesses are encouraged to dress in styles from different decades throughout the campaign week.

• Shoppers who join the fun by dressing up in decade attire, while shopping locally, will earn extra entries into the Shop Local Ticket Drawing(s) to win cash prizes.

• This effort highlights Wheeler’s unique businesses and encourages the commUNITY to keep their dollars local.

  
  

How to Give

Community members are encouraged to donate through The Panhandle Gives website to support Wheeler Sports.

• Online gifts are made directly through The Panhandle Gives platform (live only during campaign 11/24/25 - 12/2/25).

  https://www.thepanhandlegives.org/organizations/waaic-wheeler-sports

• Check donations can be made out to The Panhandle Gives with a memo: Wheeler Sports and can be dropped off at The City of Wheeler, with Tammy Jolly at Kuntz & Smith, CPA, or at either one of our local banks: Happy State Bank or Wellinton State Bank.

A Call to Students, Businesses and Community Members

• Students: Get creative with jug decorations (feature ANY decade) and rally your class to win!

• Businesses: Host a jug, dress up in your favorite decade, and encourage your customers to join the fun. Be sure to tag @WheelerSportsTX

• Community Members: Shop local, dress up, donate and help fill the time capsule with items throughout the decades.

“The Time is NOW: Celebrating our legacy, funding our future!” is more than a theme—it’s a call for Wheeler County to come together. By giving through The Panhandle Gives and participating in these events, YOU are ensuring our Wheeler County YOUTH Sports and Tom Britt Memorial Park continue to thrive for years to come.

About Wheeler Sports

Wheeler Sports is dedicated to teaching youth about leadership and teamwork through athletics. Through fundraising and partnerships, Wheeler Sports helps enhance opportunities for young athletes and strengthens the heartbeat of our commUNITY.

For More Information, please email wheelertxsports@gmail.com or contact Kristen Moudy at 806.367.0084