2015 was a pivotal year for our communities and the Amarillo Area Foundation.In the face of political turmoil and world events, we remained focused on challenges close to home.The Amarillo Area Foundation became even more dedicated to its mission with an added emphasis:“Do all you can to meet charitable needs throughout the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.”
Our communities desire to enhance and improve opportunities for our youth, our neighborhoods, our schools, the elderly, and families in general. We strive to improve the quality of life for all Texas Panhandle residents, while pursuing collaborative efforts for maximum impact, with special thanks to Baptist Community Services, Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, and the Mary E. Bivins Foundation, just to name a few.
We were honored in 2015 to participate in the Foundation’s largest annual distribution in over two decades.The Amarillo Area Foundation and The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation invested over $15.3 million in Texas Panhandle communities.We strengthened the health of our entire region through grants and programs addressing healthcare, education, social services, and sustainability needs.
Of particular note, we truly appreciate the Harrington Regional Medical Center (“HRMC”) for a signature event last year. As many recall, back in 1960 the Amarillo Area Foundation was granted 300 acres of land west and southwest of the Veterans Administration Hospital to develop a first class medical center, which began taking shape in 1965. This major undertaking resulted in the subsequent formation of HRMC, devoted solely to this endeavor.
Fast forward to 2015, the Foundation was honored to again join forces with HRMC as it joined the Foundation as a supporting organization, pooling its resources and creating a new volunteer board responsible for developing and managing programs withinthe medical center.Residents from all over the Panhandle and adjoining states continue to take advantage of top-notch medical care at the Harrington Regional Medical Center, and we are proud of this reunion.
Thank you founders, donors, volunteers and grantees for “doing all you can” to support our 2015 mission.We are forever grateful for your investment in the past, present, and future of our Panhandle communities.
Cliff Bickerstaff
2015 Chairman of the Board
By any objective measure, 2015 was a record year for the Amarillo Area Foundation. The Foundation reached new heights in both contributions and distributions. Amongst these accomplishments, the high point for the year was the receipt of assets from Harrington Regional Medical Campus. We formed a new entity with the medical campus assets that functions as a supporting organization for our Foundation and more effectively serves the healthcare needs of our Panhandle residents.
As the Foundation looks forward to 2016, we do so with the healthcare needs of our residents at the top of our list of priorities. Not only must we utilize Medical Center resources to improve patient experiences and options, but we must also remain constantly focused on promoting healthy communities.
With this awareness comes an analysis of what it really means to promote "healthy communities." First, healthy communities are comprised of healthy individuals. To that end, promoting individual health and providing access to affordable, quality healthcare for all residents is of vital importance to regional communities.
Healthy communities are also comprised of healthy places. So, we must help communities develop a supportive infrastructure of public, private, and nonprofit entities to support individuals and allow them to maximize their potential.
Lastly, healthy communities also possess organizations who proactively implement innovative ideas. In 2016 and beyond we are focused on aiding healthy communities and their organizations by providing them with platforms to discuss what their communities need to thrive. We are identifying those ideas and organizations with the greatest promise to positively impact Texas Panhandle residents - leaving the health of Panhandle communities up to their residents, while also providing support and serving as a sounding board when appropriate.
As we reflect on 2015, we certainly acknowledge that it represents a high point in the Foundation's history. We constantly strive to have the greatest impact with our donors' assets and to create the most positive change for Panhandle residents. We look forward to building on the great momentum we received in 2015 and promoting healthy communities for many years to come.
Clay Stribling
Amarillo Area Foundation President & CEO
The Amarillo Area Foundation family is made up of tremendous leaders who offer their time and talent to help the Foundation fulfill its mission. They are our board members, volunteers, committee members and staff, each bringing their own expertise to make the Texas Panhandle a better place.
| 2015 AAF Executive Committee and Board Members | |
|---|---|
| Cliff Bickerstaff | Chairman of the Board |
| Julie Mitchell | Immediate Past Chair |
| Puff Niegos | First Vice Chair |
| Jason Herrick | Second Vice Chair |
| Roy Bara | Treasurer |
| Jackie Pearson | Secretary |
| Jeri Bezner | Member at large |
| Paul Clark | Member at large |
| Steve Hoard | Member at large |
| Linda Rasor | Member at large |
| Clay Stribling | President and CEO |
| Stephania Jones | Assistant Secretary |
| Amarillo Area Foundation Board of Directors | |
|---|---|
| Vanessa Buzzard | |
| Terry Caviness | |
| Kathy Cornett | |
| LeRayne Donelson | |
| Lori Henke | |
| Ken Kelley | |
| Paul Matney | |
| Sharon Miner | |
| Dyke Rogers | |
| Rod Schroder | |
| Eddie Scott | |
| Nancy Seliger | |
| Caroline Smith | |
| Roy Urrutia | |
| Suzanne Willis | |
| Amarillo Area Foundation and Harrington Foundation Staff | |
|---|---|
| Clay Stribling | President & CEO |
| Stevie Jones | Vice President of Financial and Resource Management |
| Charlotte Rhodes | Vice President of Resource Development and Sustainability |
| Katharyn Wiegand | Vice President of Community Investment |
| Suzanne Brantley | Administrative Services Manager |
| Marilyn Alexander | Administrative Services Assistant |
| Roxann Ball | NSC Program Officer |
| Connie Bradford | ACE Program Director |
| Stephanie Cantu | Administrative Services Assistant |
| Broc Carter | No Limits No Excuses Program Officer |
| Karen Delashaw | Donor Services Data Coordinator |
| Cynthia Estrada | ACE College Liason |
| Kathie Grant | Grants Administrator |
| David Hurtt | Director of Accounting |
| Kasey Long | Director of Development |
| Janet Luman | Office Coordinator |
| Suzy Murray | Staff Accountant |
| Karen Phillips | Donor Services Administrative Coordinator |
| Olivia Trabysh | Special Projects Coordinator |
| Jessica Tudyk | Grants Manager |
| Shree Veeramachaneni | Prosperity Program Officer |
The Don and Sybil Harrington became a supporting organization of the Amarillo Area Foundation in January of 1988. This supporting organization status has enabled The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation to benefit from the Amarillo Area Foundation’s professional staff, administrative services and favorable tax status as a community foundation. Meanwhile, The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation has its own grantmaking authority and Board of Directors.
| The Don and Sybil Harrington Foundation Board of Directors | |
|---|---|
| Clay Stribling | President & CEO |
| Julie Mitchell | Chair |
| Dyke Rogers | Vice Chair |
| Puff Niegos | Secretary/Treasurer |
| Mark Bivins | |
| Vanessa Buzzard | |
| Wales Madden, Jr. | |
| Richard Ware, II | |