Los Barrios de Amarillo honors Hispanic community with virtual luncheon

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Los Barrios de Amarillo chose to move its annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to a virtual setting, celebrating Hispanic culture in the Texas Panhandle as well as giving out awards to members of the community who have made an impact on Amarillo. 

According to previous Globe-News reports, this celebration is hosted each year at the Wesley Community Center. While it was different this year, Jason Crespin, host of the virtual event, said he thinks it was still important to celebrate the Hispanic community in Amarillo. 

“It may not be the ideal way to hold an event, but we know it’s important to stay safe while we still get to celebrate,” he said. 

During the virtual ceremony, various leaders in the community, including Amarillo Independent School District Superintendent Doug Loomis, Amarillo Mayor Ginger Nelson and Potter County Commissioner Mercy Merguia, spoke about the importance of the Hispanic community in Amarillo and what impact they make on the city as a whole. 

Merguia said Hispanic Heritage Month gives the community time to reflect on all the Hispanic leaders that serve each day. Highlighting leaders each year through this ceremony, becomes a part of the city of Amarillo’s history. 

“This becomes part of the archives for our city,” she said. “It’s important that we take time, we reflect on all of the work that everyone has done. It’s very easy to be busy, so this really does force us to stop and say thank you.” 

Viewers also heard from Liz Rascon Alaniz, executive director of the Wesley Community Center, who gave the keynote address for the luncheon. She spoke about growing up in a Hispanic household and the impact her family has made on her throughout her life. 

Toward the end of Wednesday’s virtual luncheon, Los Barrios de Amarillo honored one business as well as members of the Hispanic community with the following awards: 

- Business Community Service: Atmos Energy

- Lifetime Heart of the Barrio: George and Mitsy Veloz, owners of Tacos Garcia 

- Hispanic Young Rising Star: Erick Gutierrez, student at West Texas A&M University

- Hispanic Man of the Year: Daniel Martinez, president of the Amarillo Rotary Club

- Hispanic Woman of the Year: Lucia Perez, advocate for cancer community, involved with Camp Alphie organization

Michael Gonzales, public affairs manager for Atmos Energy, the business who received this year’s Business Community Service award, said it is important to continue highlighting the success of people in the community, especially during the ongoing pandemic.

Atmos Energy was honored after donating funds to help with food insecurity and energy assistance during this time. 

“We are proud to belong to a community that invests in people and what they are doing. I only play a small role in coordinating and being able to make this happen. Our company has been gracious enough to allocate all these funds,” he said. “I’m honored and blessed, on behalf of my company. We want to continue all organizations and help their community thrive in any way that we can.” 

Perez, the winner of the Hispanic Woman of the Year award, said it means a lot to her. 

“When I found out I was nominated, I was already happy, and cried a little,” she said. “But now that I have gotten the award, I just can’t believe it. I have seen so many leaders in our community doing so much that I thought there was no way I would be one of them.” 

Gutierrez, the young rising star recipient, was also caught off guard when he received the award. 

“It was surprising, however, it did make me feel grateful that there are members of the community that do see the hard work of people, especially young Hispanic Americans,” he said.

Gutierrez, who is a member of the Hispanic Student Association at West Texas A&M and volunteers his time helping fellow students as well as helping at area animal shelters, is originally from Mexico and moved to Amarillo when he was younger.

When his family came to the Texas Panhandle, Gutierrez said his family had to receive help from various organizations, which inspired him to help people as he got older. 

“You might think that everyone has resources and has the support that some may be privileged to have. But you realize that there is so much need in this community but also, there is a sense of giving that comes from previous help you have received,” he said. “...It just inspires you to give back. Give back from what you have been given, especially from these groups that still, to this day, continue to do work that is really great.” 

For more information about Los Barrios de Amarillo, visit https://www.facebook.com/losbarriosamarillo.