A Christmas Wish Continues

Statement

Born in 1900 in Mount Pleasant, Texas, Mary Lou Hazelrigg (then Harris) grew up with a keen understanding of what it means to "go without." Raised on her grandfather's farm, Hazelrigg grew up chopping and picking cotton and driving a mule. Her education was intermittent, depending on how much she was needed for her chores at the farm. When she was relieved of her chores, she would make the three-mile walk to her school house. Perhaps it was her limited opportunity to earn a formal education that made Hazelrigg so determined later on to see that her own daughter received a quality education. As a young single mother, Hazelrigg worked as a cook and resided in servants' quarters to be able to afford to send her daughter to a Catholic boarding school.

After her marriage to Alexander Hazelrigg, the couple moved to Amarillo in 1940. They both worked as janitors for the City of Amarillo for a period of 20 years, with second jobs at night to earn extra income. Upon retiring, Hazelrigg determined to do something positive for the needy children in the North Heights area of Amarillo. She recognized that many of them faced a Christmas that was lacking presents or, in some cases, any sort of celebration. In 1965, Hazelrigg and her husband began hosting a Christmas party for underprivileged children in their home. The Hazelriggs provided all the Christmas treats, complete with a visit from Santa Claus. A gathering of about 10 to 12 children attended the first Hazelrigg Christmas party. This fairly light attendance was short-lived, however. Word soon spread and each year brought more and more children to the Hazelrigg home at Christmas. Soon, hundreds of children were attending, from towns across the Panhandle. Each child came with the assurance they'd receive Christmas treats, toys, and a visit with Santa Claus.

By 1984, the celebration had outgrown the Hazelrigg's home. When the attendance peaked at nearly 1,000 children, the decision was made to move the celebration to the North Heights Center, and the tradition was continued by the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity of West Texas State University -- now West Texas A&M. Over the years, the Mary Lou Hazelrigg Christmas Party has continued to provide children in need with gifts on their wish lists thanks to the generous support of local donors and church groups. Longtime Amarillo resident and retiree Jackie Montague, a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, has volunteered and helped to host the party for more than 25 years. Though most children are given toys, candies and fruit, Montague says some children are in need of much more basic items, like clothing and shoes. When these children are identified, volunteers will often make arrangements with the children's parents to purchase clothing for them, "to see that every child in need has a Christmas," Montague says.

Mary Lou Hazelrigg's goodwill did not go unnoticed by local and state leaders. The Amarillo Globe-News named her Woman of the Year in 1982 and in 1984, she was presented with the Texas Governor's Award. She was recognized by several organizations for her service, including the Amarillo Police Department, West Texas A&M, and Northwest Texas Hospital. Hazelrigg passed away on May 16, 1990. Today, 46 years since her first Christmas party, Mary Lou Hazelrigg's legacy lives on as local children in need continue to experience the spirit of Christmas thanks to her kindness and hard work.

Those interested in learning more about the annual Mary Lou Hazelrigg Christmas Party can contact Jackie Montague, (806) 351-0454.

Sources: Amarillo Globe-News; Texas State Historical Association

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