Page 72 - Senior Link Magazine Winter 2017- Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS
CHRIS ATKINSON
hris Atkinson and wife, Pam,
make their home in Post.
CFor the last eight years, his
day job has been as Director of the
Community Recovery Center, and
Pam is employed by MTC-Giles
W. Dalby Correctional Facility.
Together these two are a powerful
workforce in every way. They
attend the Cowboy Church in
Lubbock, where he has served as
a team leader, a lay pastor (trail
hand) and now enjoys just being a
member.
Chris grew up in Spur, Texas, just
over 40 miles east of Post, and
gained first-hand
experiences in life in
a small town. His
dad was a powerline
contractor, and his
mom worked at
the Dixie Dog. He
has fond memories
of school. As a
youngster, Chris
participated in
Boy Scouts and
was very proud to
72 Lubbock Senior Link
Putting Others
First by Linda Puckett
have been on the team of the first also gives scholarships each year to
freshman FFA chapter to go to some graduating seniors of Post ISD
State. Homecoming is still a big and Southland ISD.
thing in Spur, bringing many of the
former students like Chris back for Chris’ own experience with drugs
a weekend of celebration. This is and alcohol prepared him to reach
where he learned how to give back out and help others. There are no
to the community. limits to what he will do to educate
adults and young people about drug
Since taking his current position and alcohol abuse and prevention.
with the Community Recovery Through his programs, screening,
Center, he became aware that and assessments, he reaches about
not enough people knew what 2,000 to 2,500 people each year.
the center was all
about. With annual Chris and Pam In 2007, Chris
fundraisings, the was asked to join
Center was able to embody the concept Post Rotary Club
acquire educational of Giving Back; 5730; it was there
brochures and they are loved and that he saw what
programs for clients Rotary did for the
of all ages, as well appreciated by the community. He sat
as training for people of Post. between two very
staff. Chris takes prominent men of
his services into the schools, not the town, Giles McCrary, who was
just in Post, but to area towns in Post’s mayor for many years, and
other counties. Most recently, they Bob Collier, the local pharmacist
contracted with Epic Entertainment and owner of Collier Drug. He
of Austin to get the message into claims, “I’ve never gotten more
schools using a fun-filled, high wisdom than I did from those two
gentlemen.” Rotary International
energy educational program that is a great organization, doing
interacts with students, often via a impressive things throughout the
great magic show. world, such as eradicating polio.
Kids really love
Epic’s mascot,
Kazoo, billed as the
World’s Funniest
Dragon. And then
there are pool
parties for the youth
where he distributes
back-packs for
schoolkids. The
Recovery Center