Content 6 - Holiday Safety 10 - Calendar 12 - Fashion Over 50 15 -Christmas Time Capsule 18 - Connecting On Facebook 20 - BBB 22 - Directory of Services
Editor Camey Maldonado 806-231-9822
Volume 3 Issue 9 Dec. 2011
Sales Eric Muehlhausen 806-433-6289
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Camey
Editor for ne e Silver Magazine
Merry Christmas & Happy New YYear ea I am excited for the holidays. I am always excited for the decorating, the shopping, and all the family gatherings. But as I get excited there is always a bit of mixed emotions as I am aware that the holidays tend to be family-oriented and if you’ve lost a loved one, the season can be an especially painful reminder of the death.
what you’re going through can be very comforting.
dealing with grief. Do not isolate, but limit involvement when you need to and plan new events.
Think about building some new traditions. Remember that it’s okay not to do what you traditionally do. Planning something totally different is not an insult to the memory of a loved one and can be a positive way to ease some of the pressure.
Plan a special time to celebrate the memories of the person who died. Some families develop creative rituals like decorating a miniature Christmas tree at the cemetery, donating money to a charity, singing their favorite seasonal song, reciting a special So I thought of some things I think might help prayer before the evening meal, or even just lighting a candle. Symbolic gestures like these with coping… can help families validate their feelings of Talking about the deceased person is okay. sadness and overcome the guilt of enjoying Your stress will only increase if the deceased special occasions. person’s memory is allowed to become a Take care of yourself. Stress, depression and landmine that everyone tiptoes around. bodily neglect are not a great mix at any time Things won’t be the same. It’s normal to feel at odds with yourself and family events when of the year.
Don’t let other people’s expectations dictate how your holiday will unfold. If you don’t feel like doing something this Christmas, don’t let others force you. If you do want to attend holiday functions, make sure you know your limits. Leave early, arrive late, drive alone do whatever you need to do to help yourself. Seek support. Talk to your friends and family about how you feel. Also, many communities offer support groups for people who are grieving. Being around people who know
But remember that every person is different and every relationship is unique. And as you may know, I wish you the best holiday season and look forward to bringing in the New Year with you.
Camey
Holiday Home Safety Tips Great food, drinks and hanging mistletoe are key elements of entertaining indulgence allowed but safety is too often overlooked. So make a safety list and check it twice with these simple home safety tips. The kitchen can be a holiday danger zone The kitchen is a gathering place at this time of year and the source of delicious foods, whether it's baking or a festive ham or turkey. This is also the time when home fires peak. About one-third of home fires and home fire deaths in the US occur during December, January and February. Watch your stove and oven Unattended cooking remains one of the top causes of home fires Upgrade your smoke alarms The latest smoke alarms are wireless and interconnected; when one alarm sounds, they all go off. Another tip is to choose alarms with the UL label, which means they have been tested by a certified lab. Space heaters can be cozy ‌ and hazardous Home heating equipment is second only to cooking fires for causing home structure fires. Avoid setting up a space heater too close to curtains, furniture or even holiday decorations. Remember to keep at least three feet of clear space around it and to set it up on the floor unless it is designed for other use. The fireplace is for wood only A fire is a welcoming touch, but save it for wood only. Do not burn garbage, cardboard boxes or Christmas trees in the fireplace. These items burn unevenly and may cause a dangerous flash fire. Most chimney fires are caused by the buildup of creosote, a highly combustible byproduct of burning wood.
Take caution with candles Christmas Day is the peak day of the year for candle fires. Make sure candles are in stable and sturdy holders, and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning. Inspect lights, cords and outlets Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots or broken sockets before putting them up. Remember to turn off holiday lights before leaving the home or going to bed. Don't overload your electrical outlets with too many lights or decorations. To reduce the chance of overheating, electrical cords should never be bundled together or run under rugs or carpet. Christmas trees need attention Take fire safety precautions when keeping a live tree in the house. Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches. Regularly give the tree plenty of water. Turn down the heat Burns from hot water are more common than you may think. Test your tap temperature by letting the hot water run for a minute and holding a thermometer in the water stream. If it's more than 120 degrees F, check your owner's manual for instructions on lowering the thermostat.
10 Tips for Holiday Fire Safety 6.If you have a real Christmas tree, put it in a stable stand, and keep it fresh by checking the water level daily. A dried tree is more susceptible to fire. Keep the tree away from heat sources that could dry it out. Most tress dry out in two weeks, You can help to keep your family safe and avoid holiday fire damage if you follow these 10 holiday so don't leave your tree up long past the holidays. fire safety tips: 7.Check holiday lights for cracked or broken bulbs, frayed wires and loose plugs. Don't use 1.Install smoke detectors; change the batteries every year. Install carbon monoxide detectors and lights that aren't safe. make sure those batteries are fresh too. 8.Use lights that have been approved by testing labs like Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory 2.If you use your fireplace, make sure to use a Mutual (FM). fireplace screen. Did you know this holiday fire safety statistic? Every year, holiday fires cause approximately $930 million in damages, and injure 2,600 people.
3.Never burn wrapping paper, boxes or other trash in your fireplace.
9.Use lights only in their designated areas; never use "indoor only" lights outdoors.
4.Don't leave a fire unattended; put the fire out before you go to bed.
10.If your smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide detectors go off, get everyone outside and call 911. Don't try to solve the problem yourself.
5.Candles are beautiful, but make sure they are in stable and secure holders and keep them away from combustible materials and small children. Never leave candles unattended.
Following these holiday fire safety tips will help to ensure that you enjoy a safer holiday season.
Here's to happy and safe holidays at home!
Grieving during the holidays We all grieve for many reasons. The death of a loved one, serious illness, emotional and psychological issues, job loss, separation and divorce can often prove to be huge stumbling blocks to entering in and celebrating the holiday season. While for many people the holiday season is a time of light, celebration, hope and expectation, for those experiencing grief, the holidays can be a time of darkness, hopelessness, sadness and despair. No matter what your age or the circumstances of loss and death, the holidays lived in the absence of a loved one can be a very difficult time. Customary traditions and routines are changed, never to be repeated quite the same way. Easygoing humor and laughter, once abundant and over flowing, may become awkward and even absent. Celebrations and gatherings, once filled with joy, somehow seem empty and sad. During the grieving process, people will experience periods of isolation, depression, loneliness and other forms of emotional and physical distress. You may find yourself asking: Why is this happening? Can I possible survive this? How long will this sadness and longing last? Is what I am feeling normal or am I losing my sanity? The holiday season itself can add its own share of questions: How can I make it through the holidays intact without my loved one? Would I be better off just skipping the holidays this year? Should I make changes or act as though everything is normal? To begin with, it will be necessary to acknowledge that you are in pain and communicate your needs to your loved ones. You may wish to pull back and isolate yourself from others in the hopes of diminishing the pain and angst of loss. However, these actions often increase the feelings of pain and loss, while internalizing grief — “stuffing it away” — and denying the grief experience. Grief is like an immense wall. It is too high to climb over, too wide to go around and too deep to crawl underneath. You have a choice: deny the process of grief and refuse to enter into your grief work or have the courage to enter into your grief process, all the while knowing that it could prove to be painful. The latter gives the hope of successfully achieving a healthy and independent life without the presence of the loved one lost. We can never replace the space within us that this loved one occupied. At the same time we can, with the help of others, create new relationships and experiences that give our lives meaning, purposefulness and hopeful expectation.
Too often, we hear the message from society that one must “get over� your loss — fill in the space with another person, or thing or experience. This is impossible! The love bond and experience of the loved one lost will always reside within us. Grief is something we can never get over, but it is something we can learn to live with in time. The pain and angst will subside. We will again be able to laugh and experience joy with renewed energy and purpose; again, knowing full well, that grief work will be some of hardest work we will ever do in this life.
tions that are meaningful to us and to our family. These new rituals can include opportunities to remember the past while acknowledging that the present has indeed changed.
Establish sound self-care techniques to help you to assume some control over your life. Eat healthy and During the holiday season, drink alcohol wisely. Getting good sleep and exercising your body, mind and spirit will help you feel better and as well as provide you the energy to conduct your grief work. during all the Consult your physician if you have any questions and a year long, we must engage in mental health counselor if you need additional tools and practicing those support to ensure a healthy recovery and adaptation to disciplines that life without the presence of your loved one. bring renewed energy and purpose. In general, we must choose life in By assuming some control in your life, even in little all the ways that you can. Seek help from others to plan ways, you will find that they are not so little after all. They are important. new rituals and traditions, while honoring those tradi-
Decemberr 2011
Silver Calendar
SATURDAY DECEMBER 3 8:00AM-5:00PM WORLD OF WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM
10:00AM-11:30AM CHRISTMAS WORKSHOP AMARILLO MUSEUM OF ART $20.00 PER PERSON AGES 4-10 2:00PM-6:00PM CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE PANHANDLE PLAINS MUSEUM FREE TO ATTEND 6:00PM-10:00PM CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTING BOTANICAL GARDENS FREE TO ATTEND
HOLIDAY LIGHTING BOTANICAL GARDENS FREE TO ATTEND
TUESDAY DECEMBER 6 6:00PM-9:30PM TASCOSA POPS CONCERT AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER HERITAGE ROOM 6:30PM-7:30PM LAUGHTER CLUB “LAUGHTER YOGA” WASHINGTON AVENUE CHRISTIAN CHURCH FREE TO ATTEND WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 7 6:00PM-10:00PM CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTING BOTANICAL GARDENS FREE TO ATTEND
7:00PM-8:30PM AISD ALL REGION ORCHESTRA THURSDAY DECEMBER 8 CONCERT 11:45AM-1:00PM GLOBE NEWS CENTER POINSETTIA LUNCHEON AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER 8:00PM GRAND PLAZA THE 39 STEPS $30.00 PER PERSON AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE MAINSTAGE 7:00PM-8:30PM $19.00 PER PERSON RANDALL CLUSTER WINTER BAND CONCERT SUNDAY DECEMBER 4 GLOBE NEWS CENTER 8:00AM-5:00PM WORLD OF WRESTLING 8:00PM CHAMPIONSHIPS THE 39 STEPS AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE COLISEUM MAINSTAGE $17.00 PER PERSON 3:00PM-8:00PM OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE FRIDAY DECEMBER 9 CHURCH SERVICE 6:00PM-10:00PM AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDENS HERITAGE ROOM HOLIDAY LIGHTING BOTANICAL GARDENS MONDAY DECEMBER 5 FREE TO ATTEND 6:00PM-10:00PM CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDENS
8:00PM LONE STAR BALLET “THE NUTCRACKER” AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON 8:00PM THE 39 STEPS AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE MAINSTAGE $19.00 PER PERSON SATURDAY DECEMBER 10 8:00AM SOUTHWEST COWBOY POETS BREAKFAST THE COUNTRY BARN $7.00 PER PERSON 9:00AM-5:00PM TEXAS KNIFE & GUN SHOW AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER S. EXHIBIT HALL 9:00AM-5:00PM SPANISH CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER N. EXHIBIT HALL 3:00PM-8:00PM LONE STAR BALLET “THE NUTCRACKER” AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON 6:00PM-10:00PM CHRISTMAS IN THE GARDENS HOLIDAY LIGHTING BOTANICAL GARDENS FREE TO ATTEND 8:00PM THE 39 STEPS AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE MAINSTAGE $19.00 PER PERSON
SUNDAY DECEMBER 11 9:00AM-4:00PM SPANISH CIRCUIT ASSEMBLY AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER N. EXHIBIT HALL 10:00AM-4:00PM TEXAS KNIFE & GUN SHOW AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER S. EXHIBIT HALL 2:00PM & 6:00PM LONE STAR BALLET “THE NUTCRACKER” AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $13.00-$48.00 PER PERSON 2:30PM THE 39 STEPS AMARILLO LITTLE THEATRE MAINSTAGE $17.00 PER PERSON TUESDAY DECEMBER 13 5:30PM-6:30PM GRIEF SUPPORT MEETING TRINITY BABTIST CHURCH FREE TO ATTEND FRIDAY DECEMBER 16 10:00AM-8:00PM SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER REGENCY ROOM 7:00PM-10:00PM AMARILLO BULLS VS ODESSA AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM $8.00-$14.00 PER PERSON SATURDAY DECEMBER 17 8:00AM-5:00PM SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR AMARILLO CIVIC
CENTER REGENCY ROOM SUNDAY DECEMBER 18 7:00PM-9:00PM AMARILLO YOUTH CHOIR “SONGS OF THE SEASON” GLOBE NEWS CENTER TUESDAY DECEMBER 20 10:00-11:00AM CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP CHLDERS PLACE FREE TO ATTEND WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28 7:00PM-10:00PM AMARILLO BULLS VS WICHITA FALLS AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM $8.00-$14.00 PER PERSON FRIDAY DECEMBER 30 7:00PM-10:00PM AMARILLO BULLS VS NEW MEXICO AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM $8.00-$14.00 PER PERSON SATURDAY DECEMBER 31 7:00PM-10:00PM AMARILLO BULLS VS WICHITA FALLS AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER COLISEUM $8.00-$14.00 PER PERSON THURSDAY JANUARY 5 7:30PM-10:00PM AMARILLO CIVIC CENTER AUDITORIUM $39.00-$64.00 PER PERSON
The Mood The days of New Year’s Eve partying have been replaced by intimate dinner parties and bed shortly after the bells leaving you refreshed enough to host a casual and chic New Year’s Day soiree. Relaxed and Open Invite guests three weeks before, give them a four hour window, and let them know they don’t have to commit to the entire affair. Your wording: stop by, have great food and catch up after the holiday rush. Guests Think of this as your first annual New Year’s Day bash. Keep the guest list to a manageable 12–15 people and make it mostly people you can see inviting year after year. Décor Think haute holiday. Try snippets of pine on the mantle, tons of candlesticks, bonus if you mix and match the ones around your house, and the simplest holiday ornaments as accents on plates. Don’t go all red and green. Keep your palette muted with pale lavender, grays, and shades of silver. And wood plates add just the right touch of texture. Incorporate the season. Winterize a classic by serving individual portions of vanilla ice cream covered in warm espresso midway through the party and again at the end. Achieve a gorgeous look, but don’t spend a ton. Go through your house rounding up what you can use even a cutting board can double as a serving piece. Recipes Cheese Muffins with Chutney Serves: 6 Ingredients 2 cups sifted flour 3 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cups sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 egg, slightly beaten 1 cup milk 3/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese Non-stick cooking spray Directions 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Sift flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper into a medium-size bowl. 3. Add egg and milk, stirring well. Then add grated cheese and mix well. 4. Spray muffin tins with non-stick spray or use paper liners. Pour batter in tins. 5. Cook 20 minutes or until brown.
Potato and Parmigiano Frittata Serves: 4 Ingredients 1 Tbs. olive oil 3 medium size Idaho potatoes, thinly sliced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 6 large eggs, beaten 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Generous pinch of salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper Directions 1. In a 10” nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Fry potatoes and onion for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until potatoes are cooked through. Reduce heat to medium-low. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, parsley, cheese, salt and pepper. 3. Pour egg mixture into pan, evenly spreading to coat bottom. Cover and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until center is cooked through.
Roasted Tomatoes Serves: 4 Ingredients 4 large plum tomatoes (1 lb.), trimmed and halved lengthwise 1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. black pepper Pinch of fresh thyme Directions 1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Arrange tomatoes, cut sides up, in 1 layer in an 8- to 9-inch glass baking dish and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme. 3. Roast until skins are wrinkled and beginning to brown, about 50 minutes. Drinks Skip the Bloody Marys and try this recipe for Lychee water with fresh mint, mandarin, and blueberries. Hint: It’s easily spikeable with Bacardi light rum! Ingredients 3/4 qt. Lychee juice 1 cup fresh blueberries 1 cup mandarin oranges, canned or cleaned well 20 mint leaves, whole Directions Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher with lots of ice.
Christmas Time Capsules Spirituality aside Christmas is all about the ornaments. And frankly, there are just never enough of them. Take advantage of the unending need for more with a grandchildren-friendly craft project that becomes a sweet family heirloom. Enter the time-capsule ornament. The concept is simple: a clear glass or plastic ornament becomes a receptacle for treasured memories. Materials Needed: Fillable clear glass or plastic ornaments (available at craft stores) Use symbols of your childhood to fill the ornament. For example, if you loved baseball, you could insert a tiny toy baseball and bat. If you grew up during the Depression, you could use an old penny to symbolize the country’s economic downturn. If you love the color blue, you could insert a blue button or a piece of blue fabric. You can even make miniature color copies of beloved photos to insert into the time capsule.
Give advance notice to the grandchildren about finding items with which to fill their own time capsules. If they can’t think of anything, suggest miniature toys, pictures, clippings of their hair, a baby tooth, or mementos of a pet. If you want your ornament to be extra fancy, purchase colored beads from the craft store. Use clear-drying glue and secure them to the inside base. Add your memory trinkets after the glue dries. Next, have every ornament maker draw up a capsule list, explaining why each item was included. As a final touch, attach ribbon or a decorative hook to your new ornaments and hang them on the tree. After the holidays, store the lists along with the ornaments to create a lasting family legacy.
Winter Skin Come winter, our skin tends to suffer due to cold temps fret, with a little preparation and extra TLC, you can and rising thermostats. Here are some winter skincare update your skincare regime to reflect the winter tips to help you face the cold. season. For a radiant and glowing complexion all winter long, check out these tips: As the heat rises indoors, the humidity necessary for keeping our skin comfortable all but disappears. Don't Banish hot showers and baths It may be the first thing you long for after stepping in from the cold, but a long, hot soak in the bath could be adding to your skin trouble. As a general rule, spend 10 minutes less than you would like to. On stepping out of the bath or shower, gently pat your skin dry and slather on the moisturizer, preferably whilst your skin is still damp, which will lock in that much-needed moisture. Don't forget to turn the thermostat down a few notches. Drink warm water infused with lemon. This will allow your blood to cleanse itself, detox the body and eliminate harmful toxins, all leading to healthy, glowing skin. Buy a humidifier Inexpensive humidifiers are worth their weight in gold when it comes to restoring health to our skin. Humidity helps restore the skin's mantle and prevents it from drying out, and becoming uncomfortable and itchy. Alternatively, place a few bowls of water strategically around your home, this simple step will go a long way in restoring moisture to the air.
Exfoliate at least once a week Adopt this simple measure and you will allow the new skin to shine through, leaving your skin glowing and full of vitality. Depending on your skin's sensitivity, you should slough off the dead skin cells regularly. Always use sunscreen Just because it's not beach water, doesn't mean the sun's rays aren't just as harsh in the winter. Use a daily sunscreen with SPF 30, especially if you do winter sports at a high altitude. Oil up Using a little jojoba oil or olive oil in your bathwater will go a long way in smoothing the surface of your skin. Did you know you could also moisturize from within by loading up on highquality omega-3s? Take a cue from Mother Nature Wintertime offers up the ideal excuse snuggle up in the sheets a little earlier than usual. By catching up on some much-needed sleep, your skin will have more time to repair the day's damage. Indulge your body further by applying moisturizer to your hands and feet before settling down for the night. Moisturize This step speaks for itself, but even those with oily skin will need to moisturize over the cold, winter months. Dry skin benefits from creamy, rich textures designed to bring comfort to the skin's mantle.
Go Ga-Ga For Gift Wrap 'Tis the season for holiday party after holiday party, decorating the whole house… taking it all down in a month (ugh!) and not only getting the perfect gift, but also wrapping it perfectly! While we can't help you with the former, we can lighten your load a little by inspiring you to switch out your stale seasonal gift-wrap for some modern new ones. Don't forget to get those packages shipped out on time!
Another fun idea, photocopy a picture of the person the gift is for, and use it as a gift tag. Custom Christmas wrap If you're not a DIYer, leave it to the professionals on the Internet.… Well, in a sense! Companies like Custom Wrapping Paper allows you to upload photos to be interwoven into various themes of gift-wrap. (Christmas included, of course!)
Make it personal When it comes to gift-wrap, we suggest making it personal. Like, really personal. Make a collage with photocopies of family photographs is a fun way to not only wrap your gifts, but also remind friends and family Not-so-boring brown Brown Kraft paper (kind of like butcher paper, but not of some really great times together. Like past Christso… meat related) has a zillion uses and gift-wrapping mases, for example. just happens to be one of the greatest ones because you can be as simple or as elaborate as you can dream it to be!
What about letting kids draw, color, stamp, finger paint, sponge paint, stencil, or apply stickers on the paper before wrapping gifts? Particularly for family members. A tip on this one: Use tape that won't tear the paper. Grandparents will cherish the gift-wrap as much as the gift in this case! Peek-a-boo Give your gift recipients a little taste of what's inside with a little game of peek-a-boo paper. Using fun Christmas-theme shaped hole punches is another fun way to give brown craft paper a whole new holiday look.
Lighten up! Okay, enough with the brown Kraft paper. Lighten up, literally, with a sophisticated white giftwrap. You can dress up plain white paper or even plain old scrapbook sheets with colorful bows left over from last year. Remember, don't get stuck using the same old Christmas colors. The new colors of the season come in hues of lime green, bright pink, and orange. Sounds like our kind of Christmas! Bring back the bows In addition to using last year's bows, a great addition to plain white gift-wrap is an ornament tied on top. In the spirit of triple-R (reduce, reuse, recycle), this can be an ornament that you already own (and are ready to part with). This is also a great way to pass along heirloom ornaments to the next generation. (Just wait until they are old enough to appreciate–and not breakthem!)
Non-traditional tissue Tissue paper is a great bargain, and it can be dressed up in so many ways! Use a few layers of silver or gold tissue paper for a truly sophisticated gift-wrap. Adorn it with simple ribbon and a sprig of mistletoe for your honey, a candy cane for the kiddos, or a few wine charms for your bestie (BFF). Something old, something new In place of traditional gift-wrap, get inspired by making something old new again. Wrap your mom's gifts in leftover scraps of fabric, your boss' gift in yesterday's WSJ, and your workout buddy's with pages of last month's SELF.
Janna Kiehl Executive Director / CEO The Better Business Bureau®
Police & Firefighter Appeals – Who Benefits? BBBs across the country receive upwards of 130,000 inquiries annually from consumers who want to know whether police or firefighter organizations meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Many are concerned about and how and if police officers and firefighters in their communities benefit from these solicitations.
While a number of these charities meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, the organizations mentioned here are not charities and cause some concerns. Such as: High fund raising costs with little going to assist the named cause; Excessive pressure in telephone fund raising appeals; and Lack of clarity about what programs donations will be assisting. These groups present themselves as a charity. But it’s up to the donor to ask if a contribution will be tax deductible. Many organizations may not be classified under the IRS Code as a charitable organization. These groups, usually not associated with local law enforcement agencies, mislead individuals regarding their purpose and contribute very little, if anything, to local groups. Police and firefighter groups solicit funds by telephone for various reasons, some of which include using money for operating funds, administrative expenses and to educate members of the legislature. These hired fundraisers earn as much as 60%-90% of the money they generate for the organization. So, ask the caller: Are you giving to the organization, or to the telemarketer? How much of your donation is tax deductible? Will local police and firefighter groups be helped with your contribution?
where you will find information about the Texas Law Enforcement Telephone Solicitation Act (LETSA) where you can also view organizations listed under LETSA. Ask for written information on the charity’s programs and finances and make a decision to give only after you are comfortable they meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Call the BBB for the standards or find them online at http://www.bbb.org/us/Charity-Standards/ Look for a clear program description of the organization’s activities in its appeals and website. For example, if it says it is helping firefighters, does it explain how, where it is doing so and how much of the donation will benefit firefighters directly? Be wary of excessive pressure in fund raising. Don’t be pressured to make an immediate on-the-spot donation. Charities should welcome gifts whenever provided. Mistaken Identity. Just because the organization includes the words “police” or “firefighter” in the name it does not mean that any member of the local force is involved or will benefit. Don’t be fooled by fast talkers who promise you protection from traffic tickets if you place a sticker from their organization on your car; (the sticker is provided once you make a contribution). No one can assure you that a police officer will not give you a ticket if you have violated the law. Ask questions. Solicitors should disclose how much of your contribution will go to the police or firefighter organization and what percentage the telemarketer is earning, when asked. You should also ask what percentage of your contribution will support local police or firefighters. Finally, ask what the money is being raised for. Operating funds and administrative expenses are vague categories. In most communities, police and firefighters are supported by your tax dollars.
If you are moved to contribute, but aren’t sure about the organization’s legitimacy, call the BBB, you may Visit BBB Wise Giving Alliance at www.bbb.org/charity to be better off going to the local access detailed charity reports and giving advice. Also police or fire station and handing check out charities with the Texas Attorney General at them a donation in person. www.https:www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/nonprofits.shtml This check list will help:
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SHEPARD’S CROOK
AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106
HOME HEALTH 2311 SOUTHWEST 7TH AVE. AMARILLO, TX 79106-6601 (806) 358-9548
JO WYATT CLINIC 1411 AMARILLO BLVD E AMARILLO, TEXAS 79107 806-351-7200
806-350-2200
GOODCARE HEALTH
1250 WALLACE
806-353-3596 MEREDITH HOUSE 812 W 25TH STREET PAMPA, TEXAS 806-665-5668
COMPASSION HOME
AMARILLO, TEXAS
PHILIPS LIFELINE MEDIAL ALARMS & MEDICATION DISPENSING 806-679-2511
www.shepards-nursing.com
tori.chewning@philips.com
GRIEF SUPPORT
STAR MEDICAL
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF DISABILITY 3501-L WEST 45TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 791009 806-376-7214
HOSPICE CARE OF THE
www.dads.state.tx.us
INDEPENDENT LIVING
OUTREACH HEALTH
BIVINS VILLAGE I & II
SERVICES 1616 S KENTUCKY AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 806-353-9907
3201 TEE ANCHOR BLVD
SOUTHWEST www.hospicesouthwest.com
EQUIPMENT INC. 6661 CANYON DRIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-331-7778
806-356-0026
AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-342-5530/806-350-8144
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THE GOLDEN PHOENIX PAMPA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER ONE MEDICAL DRIVE PAMPA, TEXAS 79065 806-663-5570
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES:
RETRIED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER SERVICES 321 SW 7TH AVE. AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-373-8389 Larue.johnson@pcsvcs.org WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER 1615 SOUTH ROBERTS AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-376-7960 MOBILITY SERVICES: OPEN ROAD MOBILITY 6103 STAR LANE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79109 806-353-2747 www.openroadmobility.com HOME NURSES: NURSES UNLIMITED 4037 W 50TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79109 806-467-0672 1-888-859-0631 NUTRITION: FAITH CITY MISSION 401 SOUTH EAST 2ND AMARILLO, TEXAS 79105 806-373-6402 www.faithcity.org HIGH PLAINS FOOD BANK 815 ROSS STREET AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 806-374-8562
SENIOR CITIZEN’S WEST TEXAS GROCERY SERVICES: DELIVERY ADULT PROTECTIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS SERVICES 806-433-1403 7132 W. I-40 # B AMARILLO, TEXAS PHARMACIES: 806-463-5114 AVONDALE PHARMACY 5135 PLAINS AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-352-2708 D&S PHARMACY 3324 S. GEORGIA 806-352-2711 3500 N.E. 24TH 806-383-3377 SOUTHPARK PHARMACY 5901 S. BELL AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-358-2428 VALMED HOME HEALTH & PHARMACY #3 CARE CIRCLE AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-350-6337 www.valmed-hhs.com REHABILITATION:
AREA AGENCY ON AGING 415 WEST 8TH PO BOX 9257 AMARILLO, TEXAS 79105 806-331-2227 www.theprp.org PANHANDLE SUPPORT
HERFORD NURSING & REHABILITATION 231 KINGWOOD STREET HEREFORD, TEXAS 79045 806-364-7113 TEXAN NURSING & REHAB 4033 SW 51ST STREET AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-355-4488 STATE AGENCIES: ELDER ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-252-5400 FOOD STAMPS 1-806-376-7214 MEDICARE HOTLINE
1-800-633-4227 SERVICES 1502 SOUTH CLEVELAND AMARILLO, TEXAS 79102 SOCIAL SECURITY 806-373-0392 ADMINISTRATION www.pcsvcs.org 1-800-772-1213 WIDOWED PERSONS
TEXAS DEPARTMENT
SERVICE OF AMARILLO 2207 WEST 7TH- THE CANYONS AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-374-9772
OF AGING & DISABILITY HOTLINE
SKILLED NURSING & REHABILITATION
1-800-252-9240 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE SERVICES: AMERICAN RED CROSS 806-376-6309
TRIUMPH REHABILITATION
THE ARBORS 1910 MEDI PARK AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-457-4700
HOSPITAL 7200 W. 9TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79106 806-468-2900
BIVINS MEMORIAL 1001 WALLACE BLVD AMARILLO, TEXAS
TRANSPORTATION:
COUNTRY CLUB NURSING & REHABILITATION #9 Medical Drive. 806-352-2731
OF TEXAS 900 S. NELSON AMARILLO, TEXAS 79104 806-367-1476
RESPIRATORY SERVICES: QUALITY RESPIRATORY
SALVATION ARMY 806-373-6631
LE FLEUR TRANSPORTATION
www.LeFleur.net
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Directory of Services
AMARILLO SENIOR CITIZENS ASSOCIATION 1220 SOUTH POLK AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-372-3381
MEALS ON WHEELS 219 W. 7TH AMARILLO, TEXAS 79101 806-374-1521
SERVICES & REPAIR 6633 CANYON DRIVE AMARILLO, TEXAS 806-352-4140