‘Thank You’ is not enough to express the gratitude Wheeler Sports felt as we reached not only our first goal of $75,000 on DAY 1, but also surpassed our second goal of $100,000 on #GivingTuesday!!! Whether is was 5 cents, $10, or multiple zeros your generous giving created competition that sparked a movement that will create lasting effects and we are forever grateful for this journey with each of you.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU...
A HUGE “Thank You” to all of you who have supported the Wheeler Sports Association (WSA) during The Panhandle Gives these past nine days. Your generosity catapulted WSA into the number 6th spot in total donations out of the 227 participating organizations! That is an incredible accomplishment, but more than that, it is a demonstration of your continued faith in those entrusted with the responsibility of making Tom Britt Memorial Park a place for the area’s youth to compete, play and thrive in ways that otherwise might not be possible. I predict that soon it will also be an economic driver for Wheeler with teams and clubs from all over the Panhandle coming to town to experience what you and others have helped build. There have been so many “in-kind” donations along the way…the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, and countless individuals whose hearts were as big as their work ethic was strong. They saw the vision of what could be and bit by bit over the years nurtured Tom Britt Memorial Park to where it is today. I am excited and grateful to see partnerships formed with the city, county, and various community boards to make the Master Plan for the park a reality. Finally, a big shout out goes to Kristen Moudy, who as a member of the Amarillo Area Foundation, spearheaded this latest fundraising drive. Wheeler is truly blessed to have such a leader. Lewis Britt, class ‘74
WHEELER ISD LEADING THE CHARGE
The goals set during The Panhandle Gives were reached because everyone worked together and were motivated by others to give. We want to honor so many of those who were active in making this possible! First of course, we would like to honor our Wheeler ISD students who started the campaign with a BANG!
On November 13th we pumped up our kids to give to improve Tom Britt Memorial Park with a Change vs Cash competition between all the classes and faculty. Together, over the course of ONE WEEK of school they raised $5,000 dollars in total! That was a feat no one expected and their determination may have dried Wheeler County residence of their coins, but gave the kids a whirlwind experience and sparked some serious competition.
We announced the winners on November 28th, National Giving Tuesday, and encouraged them to dress up as heroes to celebrate all their hard work! It was no secret their ability to come together and give spurred others in the community to give.
We also told the students that if they could use what they raised as a class and get it to $1,000 by the end of the school year (May 2024), we would honor them with a granite tile with their CLASS year on it, to be proudly displayed at the Tom Britt Memorial Park, when concession/restrooms are completed.
1st Place/ 2nd Grade Class of 2034 - $1,567.79
2nd Place/ 6th Grade Class of 2030 - $961.76
Pre-K: $305.14
Kindergarten: $262.75
1st Grade: $342.38
3rd Grade: $658.56
4th Grade: $217.19
5th Grade: $472.90
WHAT IS GONNA HAPPEN NOW?
If you have never heard of The Panhandle Gives before, here is a quick recap of what it is and WHY we asked people to give during November 20th - November 28th. The Panhandle Gives is hosted by the Amarillo Area Foundation every year and start eight days before National Giving Tuesday, which is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. Being a part of #ThePanhandleGives, your organization(s) funds raised are amplified with the Amarillo Area Foundation Amplification Fund. This means FREE money added to whatever raised during The Panhandle Gives event.
Right now we have $115,000 that is prepared for amplification!
So what happens now that we raised this money? First; we are gonna start getting the sprinkler system construction started on our fields. Second; we are going after matching grants to finalize the construction of a new concession stand and bathrooms. Finally, we celebrate all the work we have done together and use the momentum to keep pressing on!
THIS STARTED BECAUSE OF ONE MAN...
If you have never heard of Tom Britt, let us remind you of an original, local hero for Wheeler Sports and Wheeler County. He supported the community, the churches, schools and children’s sports his entire life. He especially loved baseball and coached little league. As a young, married adult, he was active on a “semi pro” league that played on Sundays from town to town. He served on local hospital boards, school boards, church boards, water boards and even the draft board of WW2. He was an avid supporter in every way and aspect of the community.
Tome Britt was one man, making a difference in this small corner of the world and leaving a legacy that we all can benefit from and value a gift that continues to give to our community.
Give what you can, when you can, as often as you can, and leave a legacy for generations to come. You can make a difference.
Check out our future plans down below 👇
THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS!
Our Many Anonymous Donors
Happy State Bank
Wellington State Bank
Wheeler ISD - Coin vs Cash Campaign
Hyland’s Pharmacy
Marshall Auto - Mack & Crystal
Cross Country Barn - Dale and Monica Kidd
M&M Equipment Repair - Jackie Don & Kellie May
Wheeler Land & Livestock LLC
Wheeler Nursing & Rehabilitation
Todd Moore Insurance Agency
Bob's Bail Bonds - Pat Childress
Puryear Ranch - Tommy & Karen Puryear
Kuntz Smith & Company, PC
Wheeler Church of Christ
Arrow Water Well Inc - Vince & Amy Koelzer
Lisa Immel Hefner
Treisy Solis
Nails by Nora
Ana Sanchez
Billy & Kara Richardson
Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Carissa McCarter
Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department
Bass Farms
SLD Multimedia & Friends
Guns ‘N Glitter
The Coate Rack
12 Round Productions
Shannon Scott
Jamie Davis
Wendy Hazzard
Jessica Newkirk
Lauren Guest
Tammy Jolly
Kenna Howard
Angela Howard
Krista Marshall
JJ Houska
Kiley Allen
Royce & Mary (Britt) Marion
Missy Oltmanns
Ana Garza
Billy Blackstock
Fred and Kim Goad
Gene Ferguson
Pat & Liz McDowell
Kent & Angie Ware
Jack & Brenda Sparlin
Johnny Velasquez
Sharla Weaver
Cecil & Nancy Pierce
Britt Ranch
Mel’s Diner
TA & Jotana Taylor
Andrew Coomer
Andy & Lishelle Hefley
Bryan & Tess Markham
Shane Sawyer
Julie Needham
Dustin & Taylor Weatherly
Pam Hill
Yvette Venzor
Logan, Paige & Blakely Kerbo
Maxey’s Steakhouse
Legends 92.9
High Plains Chiropractic
Dorris Family
Travis Stevens & Family
Glenda Weatherly
Ricky & Tina Bond
Anahis Torres Family
Big Meadow, LLC
Koepke Family
2M Cattle Company
Josh Reid
Shelley Keys
Ware Chevrolet
Graves Family Dentistry
Kelli Hampton
Kim’s Barbershop
Eric & Christina Pittman
Natalie Thomas
Matt & Michelle Moore
Dr. Ben Ed & Dr. Lee Ann Hillhouse
Jack Helton
Doug & Betty Rives
Robert & Carol Buchanan
Robert & Sue Stiles
Ronny & Sherri Jones
Rhonda Scott
Rosy Herrera
Judy Woollard
Wheeler Lions Club
Wheeler Chamber of Commerce
The Moudy’s
Julian-Chaffin Family
Heidi Hall
Dan & Gail Sams
Deb Finsterwald
U-Drop Inn & Café
Loretta’s Loot on the Route
Red Rio Consign & Shop