There’s nothing better than April baseball before the Texas summer heat wave sets in. Nearly 100 children and families, plus staff from Buckner Amarillo, enjoyed Buckner Night at Hodgetown Stadium together. It was a Scooby Doo-themed jersey night, as the Sod Poodles took on the San Antonio Missions. 

The Texas Panhandle is a large region, and Buckner Amarillo provides services across 25 counties. Serving Amarillo since 1985, Buckner provides foster care and adoption services, support programs for youth aging out of foster care and Buckner Family Pathways® – programming to support single parents who are working on a technical program or college degree.

Gathering at the ballpark was a fun way for all to spend time together while enjoying the family-friendly atmosphere at a Sod Poodles baseball game. 

Celebrating barks in the park and family services in West Texas

Hodgetown hosted "Bark in the Park" night where people and their pups were welcomed into the stadium.

Buckner handed out “Hope shines here®” puppy bandanas. Additionally, the first two children from each of the Buckner programs in attendance took home a stuffed animal puppy.

Before the game began, Buckner services were a highlight of the evening. Christine Bollinger, Buckner Amarillo foster care home developer, knocked two in-person interviews out of the park. Christine’s first interview aired on the big screens at Hodgetown where she shared information about who Buckner International is, the local needs for foster care and adoption and how the community can get involved to help vulnerable children in Amarillo.

Christine’s second interview aired on local radio to spread the word about the needs for children in the surrounding area.

Pre-game honors for Buckner single parent and son

Sebastian, 5-year-old son of Family Pathways graduate Micaela Reynoso, R.N., threw out one of the ceremonial first pitches. Sebastian comes from a family of ball players – his mother a former high school pitcher and outfielder, and his grandfather plays on a city league. It's hard to say who enjoyed the moment more – Sebastian or his seven family members in attendance to see it happen. 

No baseball game is complete without eating delicious ballpark food. Children and families enjoyed hot dogs, chips and drinks while watching the Sod Poodles pull off two wins. The Soddies played a double header to make up for a rain postponement the night before. 

Following the game, the Sod Poodles auctioned off Scooby Doo game night jerseys, worn by the team’s starters, to benefit Buckner services in Amarillo.

That’s another win for the Sod Poodles organization and a big ‘thank you’ from Buckner Amarillo and the vulnerable children and families they serve. 

Find out more about the programs available in Amarillo and how you can get involved.