Following the closure of Garretson’s Retirement Center and six years of vacancy, in 2012, the board—under the leadership of President Dixie Surratt—initiated its transformation into Garretsons Center. The facility now provides home-cooked meals twice weekly, offering both dine-in and delivery services, with approximately 55 meals delivered consistently, including to Silverleaf residents. The well-maintained premises also serve as a venue for meetings hosted by local organizations such as Hugs of Joy, Panhandle Rotary Club, and Panhandle Lions Club, thereby fostering community engagement and fellowship. Lonestar Ballet Company offers local ballet lessons, and the Panhandle Montessori is housed in the building.
Recognizing a significant need for childcare in Panhandle and the surrounding region, the Board of Directors established Amarillo Montessori School in 2015. Following its closure in early 2016, the Board chose to continue the childcare initiative under a new banner—Panhandle Montessori Pre-School. Beginning with an enrollment of roughly thirty students ranging from infants to five-year-olds, the school has supported the community for nine years. Enrollment figures have varied over time and operating as a private non-profit institution has presented both challenges and opportunities. Financial support is derived primarily from tuition, grants, and fundraising activities. Thanks to the dedication of staff, strong parental involvement, and ongoing community support, the school continues to deliver a high-quality educational program.
This spring, Panhandle Montessori was awarded Texas’ highest childcare rating—a Four-Star designation from the Texas Workforce Commission and State of Texas—an achievement attributable to the exceptional efforts of its staff.
To address evolving community needs, the school introduced after-school and summer programs for children from infancy through age twelve and expanded the facility to provide dedicated spaces for different age groups.
We are committed to serving local families and look forward to continued progress.
Garretson’s Center is grateful to have received a $17,200 donation from the giving circle 100 Women Who Care in the Texas Panhandle. This amount was allocated between Garretsons and Panhandle Montessori, enabling both organizations to sustain payroll and utility costs through ongoing community support.
Through 100 Women Who Care in the Texas Panhandle, women across the Panhandle are demonstrating the transformative power of collective philanthropy. By joining forces, these women embody a spirit of generosity and camaraderie, proving that unity amplifies their ability to make a meaningful difference in our community.
Our actions speak for themselves—when women unite, they truly are stronger together.
To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: texaspanhandlewwc.com or call 806-336-8801. Our next meeting will be held on September 23, 2025.
