Benefit raises $2,000 for service-industry workers

TEXARKANA — Local printing business Sports Magic recently raised $2,000 to give to local restaurant and service-industry workers, who have been hit hard during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By selling T-shirts that proclaimed “Texarkana Strong,” the fundraiser was able to help 17 different local servers. Twenty names were drawn with a couple of people drawn more than once, said organizer Lindsey Pilgreen.

People who purchased shirts could nominate anyone with names entered as often as people purchased shirts to nominate. According to the Sports Magic post on Facebook about the fundraiser, nearly 400 names were submitted.

“With all of the negativity going on right now, it was such a pleasure to be able to make someone smile. Everyone was sincerely joyful or surprised to receive the money,” Pilgreen said. “I want to say a special thank you to the entire community of Texarkana that participated in this fundraiser. We were merely the catalyst that gave the community a way to help each other out. It’s a very satisfying feeling.”

Servers who won hailed from several local restaurants, including Pop’s Place, Raising Cane’s, Chili’s, Scottie’s Grill, McAlister’s Deli, Dixie Diner, Mooyah, Redbone Magic Brewing, Burger King, The Dapper at Park Place and On the Border.

One person whose name was drawn three times chose to give to another person.

“One of the servers that had their name drawn more than once asked us to donate the extra money to someone for them in the spirit of paying it forward,” Pilgreen said.