Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 26, 2026

The Original Harley Party Now 31st Event July 25

Aft 31 years, what is special and long lasting about a wall white board full of names, dollars, and events from Denver to Austin? Add a board member bringing Bourbon and cups, a troubling Cash Flow report, and me, the new Executive Director, recruited from Fort Worth to Amarillo’s Family Support Services. The agency’s only fundraising event had come and gone.

All eyes were on me, some board and staff with high expectations, others with disdain for the ‘not one of us’ outsider. I asked several Amarillo born and raised board members to join me for an afternoon of review and planning. Our small group listed every fundraising event each had experienced or heard about from Denver to Austin. After a break, and passing of cups, we stared at a now full white board. I then asked the best, most insightful question I ever asked, both then and now. “What is not up there?

More names, more conversation, and then one board member clearly said Harleys. In the remaining time, with sparked energy, we talked about all we knew or wanted to know about Harleys. Together, on a now clean white board, we created the event that would be FSS’s new fundraising event, The Original Harley Party. Our small group left FSS that evening feeling hopeful, sensing a brighter, sustainable FSS.

The first Harley Party was held at the agency. The 2nd and 3rd at the Golden Light Grill on historic 6th Street. The gathering of Harleys, reverse auction ticket buyers, and supporters quickly outgrew the Golden Light. The City granted our request for the 4th and years ahead, with 100% business owner support, o take-over several blocks of downtown on a Sunday afternoon. This gave us needed space for parking, beer and food venders, bands, tables and chairs, and safe areas for the sociability of this ever-expanding event.

Here are reasons The Original Harley Party has been successful:

• Co-Chairs and mixed genders of a well-known community leader with a well-known Harley riders and owners
• Partnership with Tripp’s, local Harley dealer, sponsor, supplier of the newest edition Harley
• Diversified leadership to recruit and be responsible for set-up & tear down, food & drink, security & safety, bands and entertainment, financial systems for sales and event revenue, marketing and event promotion, a number board &assurance of accurate “winner” of the Harley and more.
• Each year keep the event fresh and enjoyable for 3,000 Harley and FSS supporters.

I am grateful to have been with the right friends, right time. I am indeed blessed.

Note: One of your peer readers recommended a friend be added to the e list. Who would you recommend join you as SL reader?

Roy, a lover of Harleys and the goodness of people