Hope & Horsepower Auto Show unites community to support homeless services

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – A new kind of fundraiser rolled into the Amarillo Civic Center this weekend bringing classic cars, custom builds and community support.

For the first time, Coming Home, Bridging the Gaps, and Route 66 Autohaus teamed up to host the Hope & Horsepower Auto Show.

“We’re doing this show to bring Amarillo nonprofits together to work as a team. We are so much stronger together as we are apart. It takes a whole army to tackle the problems that we’re facing,” said Shane Jones, COO for Bridging the Gaps.

It’s a two-day event focused on raising awareness and support for those experiencing homelessness.

“The Texas Panhandle comes together time after time again to continue to support helping those that are willing to help themselves,” said Mayor Cole Stanley, City of Amarillo. “We live in a community where you have plenty of people that have life happen to them and they need those of us that are willing to come around them to help lift them back up.”

This event brings many vendors and local nonprofits together to raise awareness and funds for homelessness services.

“It’s a really great opportunity for us to learn more about each other’s programs. It’s really important for us to get to know one another and be able to recognize each other in the community when we’re out there,” said Chris Israel, executive director for Homeless Heroes.

Alongside the car displays, guests can meet with organizations offering housing support, recovery programs and outreach services.

Heather Neeley, the outreach supervisor for Coming Home says events like this helps break down barriers.

“What we do basically is just go out and we get to know people, develop relationships, help them gather documents that maybe they’ve lost along the way,” said Neeley. ”They need to get connected to other programs like Bridging the Gaps because we do see a lot of people that are ready to go to work.”

Organizers say this partnership is about more than showcasing cars, it’s about strengthening the network of people helping others.

“We are all great partnerships together, and how it benefits the Salvation Army is just getting the word out for our homeless and unhoused people in our community,” said Wendy Lara, community relations and development coordinator for The Salvation Army.

Every dollar raised goes into expanding resources for Amarillo’s homeless community.

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