AMARILLO, TEXAS -- More than 1,000 people shined their boots and put on the bling to head to Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser Denim and Diamonds Saturday night.
Big Brothers Big Sisters pairs children with older mentors. The goal of the organization is to put role models into the lives of kids in need to ensure those kids grow up with confidence and security.
The ever-so-country Denim and Diamonds fundraiser was brought back in hopes of raising funds to provide salaries and other financial needs for the organization.
"Annually, we do Bowl for Kids' Sake and that's our largest fundraiser," Big Brothers Big Sisters Executive Director Emily Nance said. "We raise about 30 percent of our operating income at that and then we'll do little fundraiser throughout the years. But Denim and Diamonds is certainly our biggest in many, many years to have."
More than $100,000 was raised before the event began, and Nance said she was hoping for more than $150,000 by the end of the night.
Embers Steakhouse provided the food and and more than 100 items were up for bids.
"We don't charge fees for our services to the littles or to the volunteers, so we make our living by donations and fundraising," Nance said. "And this will support a lot of matches and hopefully match a lot of children that we we have that have been existing on our waiting list."
The highlight of the event was a live performance by award-winning country music artist Trace Adkins.
"We're very fortunate to have Trace Adkins," Nance stated. "He is such a nice man and such a kind person to come and do this for the children of Amarillo and Canyon that we are just blessed to have him. And it's a testament to the type of person he is to come to little ol' Amarillo and do this event for us."
