Good morning, Amarillo.

Amarillo and Canyon held a record-setting Help 4 The Holidays event last weekend, collecting donations for over 20 nonprofits scheduled to pick up items Monday and Tuesday.

Organizers expressed gratitude & confirmed plans to return next year with a larger event.

On Dec. 8, The Bridge Children's Advocacy Center launched its Healing Begins at The Bridge capital campaign with 72% of its $10 million goal already raised for a new facility that will offer expanded services and training (including housing for police and child protection staff), with groundbreaking planned for spring.

Amarillo’s Santa Run will take place on Saturday, Dec.

13 at 8:00 a.m. at 4280 Soncy Rd and will include a 1-mile fun run and a 5K run to raise funds for Toys for Tots, with registration fees of $305 for the fun run and $30 for the 5K.

Kids, Inc. announced that Toot’n Totum will host its Change for Better campaign from Dec.

8 to Dec. 21 to support the development of Rockrose Sports Park (supporting youth sports) as part of milestone anniversaries; customers can round up purchases at the pump or register.

On Monday, Dec. 8, Optimum provided dinner for children at the Maverick Boys and Girls Club on Lincoln Street, emphasizing the club as a safe place to complete homework and connect with friends.

The meal service is part of Optimum's ongoing support for local youth.

Bill’s Auto Glass, a longtime Amarillo business, has announced a Holiday Windshield Giveaway to help a community member in need by providing a free windshield replacement.

Nominations are open now through Jan. 1 and the winner will be named on Jan. 2 * submissions are accepted via Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.

On Friday, Jan. 23, the city will hold its annual 24-hour homeless Point-in-Time Count; local volunteers will be trained to gather data while donors contribute essential gift bag items at the Community Development Department (808 S.

Buchanan St).

After a social media plea warned that Bears Burgers and Dawgs might close due to a poor economy, local customers lined up all night December 8 at 2201 N 2nd Avenue in Canyon and saved the restaurant.

Plains Dairy was named the region’s 2025 Local Employer of Excellence by Workforce Solutions Panhandle at the Texas Workforce Conference held Dec.

3-5 in Corpus Christi. Its workforce training and recruiting efforts continue to boost local job growth.

Behind West Texas Fresh at I-40 and Coulter, a pink container-style building is under construction (a busy access road) and is expected to open soon as a drive-thru restaurant where orders are made by app or window, with the owner confirming plans for another restaurant while details remain uncertain.

Amarillo Botanical Gardens is hosting a holiday event with over 500 lights, a snow machine, singing Christmas trees, caroling, Santa + a sold-out Grinch Brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec.

22, while evening displays run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. each night from Dec. 11 to 25.

West Texas A&M University will hold three commencement ceremonies at the First United Bank Center in Canyon to honor 1,031 graduates; events are scheduled for Dec.

12 at 2 p.m. and Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Graduates and guests should check in one hour before each ceremony.

Texas A&M Forest Service awarded over $550,000 to volunteer fire departments in the Texas Panhandle today through the Rural Volunteer Fire Departments Assistance Program, including 687 fire and rescue equipment and 66 dry hydrant grants that will support essential equipment and training for local firefighters.

Ugly Sweater Pub Crawl

4:30-9 p.m. — O.H.M.S. Cafe & Bar — Ticket discounts available — Wear your ugliest sweater and enjoy a festive night out with drinks and fun.

Amarillo Symphony - Happy Holiday Pops

7:30-9 p.m. — Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts — Free for veterans and first responders — Celebrate the holidays with favorite carols and a joyful sing-along at this cherished local tradition.

Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland

7:00-8:30 p.m. — Amarillo Civic Center Complex — Tickets required — Experience dazzling circus performances set to your favorite holiday music.