A major donation is moving the Texas Panhandle First Responders Memorial closer to reality, as Amarillo philanthropist Margaret Hodge and the Downtown Athletic Club have pledged a $100,000 lead gift toward the project.
Memorial officials say the contribution is made in honor of Hodge’s late husband, Jerry Hodge, and will support construction of the memorial at 11th Avenue and Polk Street in downtown Amarillo.
Margaret Hodge said the gift reflects her deep respect for the men and women who serve as first responders across the region. She emphasized the sacrifices these individuals make daily by leaving their families to protect the community and expressed a commitment to ensuring their service and legacy are permanently recognized.
Organizers noted that Hodge has supported local first responders for more than three decades through the Downtown Athletic Club. With this donation, the Downtown Athletic Club and the Hodge family are now among the largest contributors to the Texas Panhandle First Responders Memorial.
Wendi Swope, a member of the board overseeing development of the memorial, said the Hodge family has a long history of supporting law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel throughout the Panhandle. She added that Margaret Hodge’s generosity will help preserve the legacy of fallen first responders for future generations.
The memorial will honor first responders who have died in the line of duty since 1882 across the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle, representing 46 first responder agencies. According to Swope, the lead gift has allowed the project to move forward with plans to break ground in January.
Project leaders are currently working with Turner Land Architecture, Sims + Architects, and Southwest General Contractors to finalize design renderings and prepare for construction.
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