By Chip Chandler — Digital Content Producer
From the return of a popular outdoor music festival to annual favorites involving dogs, wine and more, May's lineup of fundraisers is blooming with opportunities.
At the End of the Day 5K & Wine Tasting
Raise money for the Amarillo College Scholarship Fund while exercising and enjoying wine at this new event.
The run begins at 5:30 p.m. May 4 at Amarillo National Bank, 401 S. Taylor St. It is held in memory of late ANB employee Gregg Jordan, an avid marathoner and wine connoisseur.
Entry fee is $30 through May 3 or $40 day of race.
Havana Nights
Celebrate the tastes and sounds of Cuba at this fundraiser for Chamber Music Amarillo.
Attendees will enjoy food from Catering by Roy, specialty cocktails like cuba libres and mojitos, and more. Live and silent auctions will be held.
The event begins at 6 p.m. May 5 at Vintage Autohaus & Imports, 8201 W. Amarillo Blvd.
Tickets are $100. Call 806-236-3545.
Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival
Thousands are expected to attend this annual downtown festival, benefiting Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The party runs from 5 to 9 p.m. May 5 at Fourth Avenue and Grant Street. It will feature live music by Norteño star Michael Salgado, Los Capi and Bakersfield Twang, as well as sizzling fajitas and more.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. Call 806-379-8800.
Burger Bash
Chow down on burgers and chips in a fundraiser for Amarillo Wesley Community Center.
The event runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6 at Harold's Farmers Market, 1308 S. Grand St.
Tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit the center's playground project.
Call 806-372-7960.
Mother's Day Tea
The Senior Ambassadors Coalition will host a Mother's Day Tea May 6.
The event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6 at Polk Street United Methodist Church's Christian Life Center, 1401 S. Polk St.
Cost is $25; sponsorship levels are available from $250 to $1,000. Proceeds benefit SAC's Vials of Life program.
Call 806-236-1644.
Frülingsfest
Enjoy a beef tenderloin dinner, dance and reverse raffle in this fundraiser for St. Mary's Catholic Church in Umbarger.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the church's parish hall, 22830 Pondaseta Road.
Young Country will perform.
Tickets are $100. Call 806-499-3531.
Muttfest
Celebrate the Day of the Dog, or Dia de los Perros, at Amarillo SPCA's annual fundraiser, featuring owner/pet look-alike contests, costume contests, face painting and more.
The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. May 7 in Memorial Park, 2200 S. Washington St.
Attendees also can update pets' vaccinations, have pets blessed, enjoy adult beverages, watch the Skyhoundz Canine Frisbee Disc Championship and more.
Admission is free. Call 806-622-0555.
West Texas Chefs' Table #Popup Dinner
Several area chefs will join forces for a May 8 dinner benefitting the West Texas Chefs' Table scholarship fund.
Seatings are set for 5 and 8 p.m. May 8 at Imperial Taproom, 410 15th St. in Canyon.
Participating chefs include Jeremy Shook, Chris Kizer, Rory Schepisi, Chris Ramirez, Aaron Adamson, Marcus Snead, Colby Newman, Joe Mendez, Ethan Williams, Chase Reid, Rocky Dunnam, Eric Blanco, Laura Yarber and Jessica Higgins. Each of the seven courses (including an amuse and dessert) will be paired with beer.
Call 806-452-8004.
Vintage Amarillo
Get a "Taste of Spain" at this year's Amarillo Symphony Guild fundraiser.
Preview the wines and other auction items at a 7 p.m. May 11 cocktail party, then enjoy dinner and the auction beginning at 6:30 p.m. May 12. Both events will take place on the second floor of the Amarillo College Union Building on the Washington Street campus.
Tickets for the preview party are $50. Tickets to the main event are $125. Tickets to both are $150.
Call 806-376-8782.
Stamp Out Hunger
Amarillo postal employees will gather food for High Plains Food Bank at this annual food drive.
The Stamp Out Hunger drive will take place May 13. Amarillo residents can leave food in sacks by their mailbox for collection.
Call 806-374-8562.
Dancing with the Amarillo Stars
Notable locals will hoof it at this annual fundraiser for Ascension Academy.
Dinner and entertainment begin at 6:30 p.m. May 13 at West Texas A&M University Legacy Hall in Canyon. Performers will include Shannon and Jason Herrick, Sarah Green and Edgar Tarrango, Travis and Jennifer Homer, Sunnye and Brian Jones, and Mary & Robert Stevens.
Tickets are $100 or $1,000 for tables of eight.
Call 806-342-0515 or email kengler@ascensionacademy.org.
A Night Out
Raffkind's will host a cocktail party and sale to raise funds for Equality Texas.
The event runs 7 to 9 p.m. May 13 at Raffkind's, 2205 S. Georgia St. A portion of sales during the evening will benefit EQTX's efforts to lobby on behalf of LGBTQ Texans.
Call 806-352-3033.
Downtown Women's Center Spring Luncheon
This event — the only annual fundraiser for the Downtown Women's Center — will be a tuneful affair.
A 100-person choir comprised of members from various churches and businesses, as well as DWC clients, will perform a "We Are the World"-style song during the event. It was inspired by the collection of different volunteers who helped DWC's recent renovation of a 40-unit apartment building donated by Baptist Community Services.
The event also will feature a short film showing the journey of its homeless and addicted clients.
Tickets are $250, with sponsorship levels up to $10,000.
Call 806-372-3625.
Friends of Southwestern Art
Western photographer Robb Kendrick will speak at the Friends of Southwestern Art annual meeting.
The event begins at 5:30 p.m. May 18 at Atrium Plaza, 619 S. Tyler St.
FOSA helps fund art purchases and restorations for Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Cost is $50. Call 806-651-2244.
Kids Cafe Classic
This four-person, two low-ball tournament will raise funds for High Plains Food Bank's Kids Cafe.
The event begins at 11:30 a.m. May 19 with lunch and registration. Play begins at 1 p.m. at Ross Rogers Golf Course, 722 N.W. 24th Ave., and concludes with a steak dinner.
Entry fee is $1,500 per team. Call 806-374-8562.
Walk for Williams
Individuals and teams can take part in the Amarillo Walk for Williams 2017.
The event — which raises awareness of and funds to fight Williams Syndrome — begins at 10 a.m. May 20 at John Stiff Memorial Park, 4800 S. Bell St.
The syndrome is a genetic condition that is present at birth and can affect anyone. It is characterized by medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and learning disabilities.
Call 806-543-9466.
Homer's Backyard Ball
After a year off, the outdoor music festival returns to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Some new rules will be in effect, though. No outside food or drink, including alcohol, will be allowed. Re-entry is not allowed without the purchase of a new ticket.
The lineup includes Cody Jinks, Cody Johnson, Cooder Graw, Casey Berry & The Live Texas Mosquitoes, Shotgun Rider, The Night Stealers and the winner of a battle of the bands contest at Hoots Pub.
The party runs 1 p.m. to midnight May 20 on the field at 800 S. Whitaker Road.
Admission is $40, plus fees. The Homer's Foundation provides funds for the Khiva Shrine, CAsA, Children's Medical Network and The Turn Center; a grant application is available at the Homer's website.
Call 806-340-5077.
Blondes vs. Brunettes Golf Tournament
In a lead-up event to the annual June 10 flag football game that raises funds for the Alzheimers Association, four-person teams can play in this scramble.
Action begins at 2 p.m. May 21 at Palo Duro Creek Golf Course, 50 Country Club Drive in Canyon.
Entry fee is $400 per team. Email tsommers@alz.org.
Hope & Healing Half Marathon & Memory Walk
Pay tribute to lost loved ones while walking or running through the historic Oliver Eakle and Wolflin neighborhoods.
This event for The Hope & Healing Place begins at 7 a.m. May 21 at the center, 1721 S. Tyler St. Package pickup begins at 5 p.m. May 19.
Entry fee is $65 for individuals, $90 for two-person relay, $140 for four-person rely and $25 for walk.
Call 806-371-8998.
Chip Chandler is a digital content producer for Panhandle PBS. He can be contacted at Chip.Chandler@actx.edu, at @chipchandler1 on Twitter and on Facebook.
