A Legacy of Giving
Volunteers ringing bells outside store for The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign.
During the winter of 1955, Pantex employees decided to forgo exchanging cards and gifts among themselves; instead, they pooled their money to purchase toys and clothing for families in need within the community. This act of giving has, for 69 years, brought joy to thousands of families who otherwise would have gone without during the holiday season.
Now known as the Pantex Christmas Project, this long-standing tradition offers a special opportunity for employees to serve both youth and elderly in our community. Part of the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, which is a group of nonprofit organizations dedicated to meeting community needs during the holiday season, the project is powered by volunteers and supported through employee contributions, fundraisers, and our community. Co chairs Lennet Hernandez, who has dedicated 25 years to the cause, and Tamara Packard, an 18-year volunteer, coordinate the project. Along with their team of “elves,” Hernandez and Packard bring holiday cheer to people in the Amarillo area each year.
The project kicked off in early August, when applications were made available through school counselors in Amarillo. Referrals come from a variety of sources, including local schools, churches, childcare facilities, and community organizations for the elderly. (Although the program focuses mainly on youth, about 10% of recipients are elderly.) Once a committee reviews the completed applications, they interview each family or participant to verify the submitted information is correct. The committee then selects the families who will be part of the project.
Children and elderly participants are represented by “angel tags” placed on a virtual Christmas tree and advertised to Pantexans via the intranet. Employees choose an angel and purchase the items listed on the tag, which include a complete outfit, a new pair of shoes, and a special wish-list item. A special item for each child could be a toy, while elderly recipients may receive additional clothes or other essentials. The gifts are distributed a few days before Christmas.
“Without this program, many children would go without,” Packard said. “It’s not just about the toys. Some of these children only receive hand me down or donated clothing. Our goal is to ensure every child on our tree receives two complete outfits and two pairs of brand-new shoes. More than anything, our outreach ensures these children receive the blessing of clothes and shoes—as they deserve.”
To ensure as many families as possible are served, those selected are allowed to participate only once. The elderly, however, stay with the program the rest of their lives.
“We are so happy to be able to help so many deserving families each year,” Hernandez said. “It truly is the highlight of the holiday season for us. With the generous donations from Pantexans and community organizations, the Pantex Christmas Project is able to grant these individuals wishes.”
The Pantex Christmas Project recently partnered with the Teen Christmas program to give Walmart gift cards to teens in our community. A local Walmart employee started the Teen Christmas program about 20 years ago. When he retired, the program faced an uncertain future, but thanks to collaboration among the Pantex Christmas Project, Salvation Army, and the Christmas Coalition of Amarillo, Teen Christmas continued. Donors to this program spread holiday joy to teenagers in need by purchasing and donating gift cards so teens can pick their own gifts. The program is going strong, partly thanks to the generosity of Pantexans.
In addition to these gifting programs, Pantex partners with the Salvation Army and the High Plains Food Bank to address community needs during the holiday season through The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign and HPFB’s Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. Both efforts align with Pantex’s mission to serve the community, not only through financial contributions but also through volunteerism.
Dedicated employees volunteer every year to ring bells outside stores for the Red Kettle Campaign. A Christmas tradition since 1891, the campaign began when Salvation Army Captain Joseph McFee used a kettle to collect funds for the hungry. Today, the campaign relies on donations to support vital programs in communities across the globe. Every penny raised through Pantex efforts with the Red Kettle Campaign stays local and helps fund services such as food assistance, shelter, and social programs.
“For several years, many Pantexans have volunteered their time from early November through early to mid-December to ring a bell for 2 hours,” said Community and Educational Outreach Coordinator Darla Fish. “It’s become a meaningful way for Pantexans to show their love and support for the community.”
Pantex has been involved for over 20 years with the Together We Can Food and Fund Drive. As a major sponsor, Pantex provides a $10,000 monetary donation and mobilizes volunteers for the annual fundraiser each December. Through the drive, just $1 can provide 9 meals to help feed individuals and families across the 29 counties in the Texas Panhandle.
“Our partnership with the HPFB strengthens our community by ensuring children, seniors, and families have access to nutritious food,” Fish said. “It’s not only about our financial support; our employees also donate their time to inspect, sort, and repack donated food. This commitment to helping those in need is something that makes me truly proud to be a Pantexan.”
This spirit of giving showcases Pantex’s commitment to being a good corporate neighbor and making a lasting impact in the Texas Panhandle.