America’s Promise in Amarillo, in conjunction with the third annual
KidsFest helped students with back-to-school needs. The free event
offered a variety of activities Saturday, August 18, 2007 at Thompson Park,
in Amarillo from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. KidsFest focuses on the five
areas of America’s Promise: Ongoing relationships with caring adults –
parents, mentors, tutors, or coaches; Safe places with structured
activities during non-school hours; Healthy start and future;
Marketable skills through effective education; and Opportunities to
give back through community services. Community agencies and
organizations set up booths to sign up children for after-school
activities and clubs; fun stations including inflatable slide, face
painting, bouncer, and blacktop hockey; food venders; school supplies;
and live entertainment.
Fun, food, games, entertainment, school supplies, immunizations, and
hands-on activities were offered free to students of the Amarillo area.
This event also offered the opportunity for 36 sponsors and over 60
organization booths to reach many families at one time, recruit
volunteers, and inform the community about their business or service.
290 immunization shots were given; Wal-Mart handed out over $14,000 in
school supplies; other vendors contributed over 5,000 hot dogs, 1,000
sandwiches, ice cream sandwiches and sodas as well as live music
satiated the crowd while waiting in lines.
Local Outreach Coordinator Cunningham and volunteer Adonna Ballard
talked with a record-setting crowd of 12,000 students and distributed
bicycle safety information to 500 in the first hour. Parents
and grandparents showed their Interest and concern for the Safe Routes
to School Program. Questions such as “What do you teach”, “How can I
get this into my child’s school”, and “How far away do you go” were
answered many times. Upcoming events such as the Old Tascosa Classic
in downtown Amarillo, and Kohl’s Cares for Kids at Northwest Texas
Hospital were suggested for more information on bicycle access, safety,
and education, as well the Old Tascosa Cycling Club and of course the
Texas Bicycle Coalition.
