United Way, Amarillo Area Foundation to distribute funding in impacted Panhandle towns

AMARILLO—The Xcel Energy Foundation has granted $50,000 to disaster relief funds at the United Way of Amarillo and Canyon and the Amarillo Area Foundation to help Texas Panhandle residents affected by severe weather events during June.

“We are inspired by the generosity of our customers across the region who have done so much to help their neighbors and hope our contribution can extend this support to more people whose lives have been disrupted by flooding and severe weather,” said Adrian J. Rodriguez, president, Xcel Energy – New Mexico, Texas. “With help from our community partners at the United Way and the Amarillo Area Foundation, we are confident this funding will be put to good use.”

Flash floods displaced hundreds of residents in Hereford and Amarillo in early June, and on June 15, a tornado devastated parts of Perryton, taking three lives and destroying hundreds of homes and businesses. The following week, a tornado caused four deaths and destroyed parts of the Motley County community of Matador. In response, the Amarillo Area Foundation reactivated the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund that was created after the 2006 Texas Panhandle wildfires. The Amarillo Area Foundation is donating 100% of the dollars raised to help residents affected by these extreme weather events.

“The Amarillo Area Foundation maintains the Panhandle Disaster Relief Fund to allow for rapid response to life-altering events that negatively impact the lives of residents of the Texas Panhandle,” said Clay Stribling, president and CEO of the Amarillo Area Foundation. “When such an event occurs, we work with our partners in each community to determine how best to deploy resources to meet the demand for food, clothing, shelter, utility assistance, and other critical needs. We rely on support from philanthropy, individual donors and private enterprise. Partnerships with corporate entities are critical to meet the needs of those impacted by such tragic events.”

The United Way of Amarillo and Canyon is also directing funding to the impacted communities through the 2-1-1 Texas program. The United Way's goal is to sustain families affected by disaster, allowing them to bridge the gap in income so that individuals do not fall behind in being able to provide health and financial stability.

“It is comforting to know we have partners like the Xcel Energy Foundation and the Amarillo Area Foundation supporting our Panhandle communities,” said Kelly Stephens, 2-1-1 director, Texas Panhandle. “The money donated for Amarillo, Perryton and Hereford disaster relief provides families and individuals much-needed assistance to make their families and homes whole.”

Xcel Energy’s regional employees, some of whom were impacted by the severe weather, have also stepped up to give. Employee donations are matched dollar for dollar by the Xcel Energy Foundation.

The company provides electric service in Amarillo, Hereford and Perryton and committed extra personnel and resources to ensure power supplies were restored quickly and safely as relief efforts got underway. The company continues to work with affected customers to connect them with financial resources and ensure their homes and businesses can be safely reconnected to power service once repairs have been made.

“These severe weather events have long-term impacts for many of our customers, and we will work with them through the recovery effort,” Rodriguez said.