Latest News

7-Year-Old Buys AmTryke For Girl With Disabilities

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:49:36 -0700

Longview, TX Chapters Garner National Honors

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:00:58 -0700

August Issue of The Leader Newsletter Now Available

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:27:05 -0800

Raymond Griest Chosen as "Ambuc of the Year"

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 12:59:07 -0700

AMBUCS Welcomes Four More New Chapters

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:55:08 -0700

AMBUCS is happy to welcome four new chapters into our organization. They are the San Antonio chapter, the Cen-Tex chapter, the new Naples chapter and the Greater Louisville chapter.

The San Antonio chapter will be based in San Antonio, Texas and was officially chartered on May 31, 2010 with five members. Officers include president Shawn Hackinson and secretary / treasurer Don Dugan. The sponsoring chapter president and spark plug is Scott Teagle from the Mesquite, TX chapter. The group plans to meet Thursdays at noon at the Spaghetti Warehouse in San Antonio, TX.

The Cen-Tex chapter will be based in Belton, Texas and was officially chartered on May 31, 2010 with seven members. Officers include president Donna Ingram, vice president Rachel Ashcraft, secretary Doris Parker, and treasurer Linda Veale. Donna Ingram is also the spark plug. Sponsoring chapter presidents are Scott Teagle from Mesquite and Daine Belliveau from Capital City. The group plans to meet on the first and third Monday of each month at Schoeph’s BBQ in Belton, TX.

The new Naples chapter will be based in Naples, FL and was officially re-chartered on July 15, 2010 with 25 members. This chapter previously joined the AMBUCS organization in 1992. Officers include president Norman Gilvey, vice president Patricia Andrews, secretary Sue Gilvey, and treasurer Carmen Kelly. Serving as spark plug was Kip Miles of the Enid AM chapter. Sponsoring chapter presidents is J.D. Sarver from Enid AM chapter. The group plans to meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 AM.

The Greater Louisville chapter will be based in Louisville, KY and was charted on July 29, 2010 with 10 members. Officers include president Donna Metzger, vice president Pat McInerney, secretary Patty Dissell, and treasurer Greg Harbin. The meeting time and location for this group has yet to be determined.

Please feel free to contact the members of this new chapter and send them a quick message of congratulations:

San Antonio chapter

Shawn Hackinson
(713) 303-1291
sanantonio@meatballs.com

Don Dugan
(210) 797-9344
don.dugan@yahoo.com

Cen-Tex chapter

Donna Ingram
(254) 258-5804
dipedpt@vvm.com

Rachel Ashcraft
(254) 749-3688
rlashcraft@yahoo.com

Doris Parker
(254) 721-5598
dorisparker97@gmail.com

Linda Veale
(806) 543-3991
lveale1020@yahoo.com

Naples chapter

Norman Gilvey
(239) 793-0861
ngilvey@comcast.net

Patricia Andrews
(239) 564-4243
patty1301@aol.com

Sue Gilvey
(239) 793-0861
ngilvey@comcast.net

Carmen Kelly
(239) 774-4402
cdkelly@yahoo.com

Greater Louisville chapter

Donna Metzger
donnametzger@bellsouth.net

Patty Dissell
pdissell@sbak.org

Greg Harbin
gharbin@republicbank.com

Pat McInerney
pmfl352@yahoo.com

Summer Issue of the AMBUCS Magazine Now Available

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:12:11 -0700

It's Official: AMBUCS Awarded $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant

Fri, 21 May 2010 11:16:13 -0700

After a month-long online voting campaign, National AMBUCS, Inc. was officially recognized today as the winner of a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

That money will be used to provide new AmTryke therapeutic tricycles to 100 individuals with disabilities who are currently on the AMBUCS national wish list.

“This campaign was a great experience for our organization, as we sought to bring smiles to the faces of some very well-deserving children,” said AMBUCS National Big Hat Club President Gary Miles. Miles and his brother Kip helped discover the grant opportunity for AMBUCS and were two of the most vocal supporters during the entire month-long campaign

As part of a new community service initiative, Pepsi is awarding $20 million in grants this year to support ideas that “refresh the world and lead to positive change.” Each month, the soft drink maker will distribute a total of $1.3 million in grants, spread out between four different amount categories: two $250,000 grants, 10 $50,000 grants, 10 $25,000 grants, and 10 $5,000 grants.

AMBUCS chose to compete this April in the $50,000 category and thus had to finish in the top ten out of more than 360 other similar entries to win the grant.

All approved ideas were ranked by the public, as people could visit Refresheverything.com and vote for projects that they wanted to see become a reality. A person could vote up to 10 times per day, but each vote had to be for a different idea.

To attract voters, AMBUCS launched a first-of-its kind marketing campaign which capitalized on nearly all of the organization’s communication tools. A special webpage was created on ambucs.org to explain how to voting process worked. A Pepsi can button was placed prominently on the website homepage which linked voters directly to AMBUCS grant campaign page. The AMBUCS Resource Center staff also sent out regular broadcast emails, direct mailings and made daily postings on its facebook and twitter pages. Some AMBUCS members even created videos on youtube.com that promoting the voting campaign, and while other chapters ran newspaper ads in their local papers.

AMBUCS eventually finished as the fourth highest vote-getter in the $50,000 category.

“Yes, it was nerve-racking at times, but shoulders together we were able to persevere and keep our eye on the prize,” Miles said. “Words cannot express just how proud I am to be an Ambuc today.”

Congratulations To The 2010 Spring Round Up Chapters

Thu, 20 May 2010 13:51:14 -0700

AMBUCS Welcomes Two More New Chapters

Tue, 11 May 2010 07:12:32 -0700

AMBUCS is happy to welcome the new Union County MAC and Reno-Sparks AMBUCS chapters into our organization.

Thus far, nine new chapters have joined AMBUCS in 2009-10.

The Union County MAC chapter will be based in the city of Matthews, NC (right outside of Charlotte) and was officially chartered on May 3, 2010. Officers include president Susan Bessey, vice Janice Helms, secretary Charmaine Hammond, and treasurer Melissa Weir. In addition to serving as president, Bessey was also the sparkplug for this new chapter. The group plans to meet on the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM. The sponsoring chapter president was Lindsay Stelter of Queen City Trykes.

The Reno-Sparks AMBUCS chapter represents the greater Reno, NV area and was officially chartered on May 5, 2010. Officers include president Aaron Stevens, 1st vice president Rick Mahone, 2nd vice president Chad Bible, treasurer Mike McDonald, and secretary Romney McDonald. The group plans to meet on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM at Scheels Sporting Goods Store. Serving as sparkplug for this chapter was AMBUCS National President Cliff Bauerle. The sponsoring chapter president was Jerry Loftus of Irving.

Please feel free to contact the members of both of these new chapters and send them a quick message of congratulations:

Union County MAC

Susan Bessey
Business Phone (704) 575-2670
childworkstherapy@yahoo.com

Charmaine Hammond
Phone (704) 221-1698
jechbr3@yahoo.com

Melissa L Weir
Business Phone (704) 847-4222
missieweir@gmail.com

Janice E Helms
Business Phone(704) 635-8927
cardinadts@carolina.rr.com

Reno-Sparks AMBUCS

Aaron Stevens
Home Phone: (775) 626-3442
Business Phone: (775) 333-6600
bennicky@charter.net

Rick Mahone
Business Phone: (775) 848-8087
rmahone@@careminders.com

Chad Bible
Business Phone: (775) 762-2099
chbible@sbcglobal.net

Romney McDonald
Home Phone: (775) 626-6102
Business Phone: (775) 626-6102
romney.mcdonald@usbank.com

Mike McDonald
Home Phone: (775) 626-6102
Business Phone: (775) 722-0810
milesfanmcd@sbcglobal.net

AMBUCS Becomes Finalist For Pepsi Refresh Grant

Mon, 10 May 2010 06:56:47 -0700

All throughout the month of April, members and supporters of AMBUCS were asked to vote online to help our
organization become one of 10 entries to win a new $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant.

Thanks to your dedication and hard work, AMBUCS finished the month as the fourth highest vote-getter in its category and is now in line to receive the grant.

This will allow AMBUCS to provide 100 AmTrykes to individuals with disabilities on our national wish list.

We currently are the final stage of the grant process and an official announcement will be made later this month once all reviews are completed by Pepsi.

For more information, please stay tuned to http://www.ambucs.org/ and also check out the upcoming summer AMBUCS magazine issue.

AMBUCS Welcomes Three New Chapters

Thu, 06 May 2010 08:37:03 -0700

AMBUCS is pleased to announce that three new chapters have recently joined our organization.

They are the Greater Indy Friends chapter, the Wheatbelt AMBUCS chapter, and the Air Capital AMBUCS chapter.

The Greater Indy Friends chapter represents the Indianapolis, IN area and was officially chartered on March 13, 2010. Officers include president Janis Hecht and treasurer Donna Carlton-Vish. The group plans to meet on Wednesdays at 7 PM at Sense of Balance. Serving as sparkplug for this chapter was Donna Carlton-Vish. The sponsoring chapter president was William Fulton of Danville.

The Air Capital AMBUCS chapter is located in Wichita, KS and was officially chartered on April 29, 2010. Officers include president Frank Chappell, vice president John Askew, treasurer Joseph Timmer, and secretary Warren Wallis. The group plans to meet on the last Thursday of every month at Ryan’s Steak House. Serving as sparkplug for this chapter was National Big Hat Club President Gary Miles of the Ponca City Noon Chapter. The sponsoring chapter president was Blake Connelly of Ponca City Noon.

The Wheatbelt AMBUCS chapter is located in Kingfisher, OK and was officially chartered on May 3, 2010. Officers include president Erin Scammahorn, vice president Glenda Wolf, treasurer Stacie Simunek, and secretary Terri Stake. The group plans to meet on the first Monday of every month at the Roserock Bank in Kingfisher, OK. Serving as sparkplug for this chapter was Past National President Anna Blubaugh of the Enid, OK chapter. The sponsoring chapter president was Krista Reimer of Enid.

Please feel free to contact the members of each of these new chapters and send them a quick message of congratulations:

Air Capital AMBUCS

Frank Chappell
Business phone: (316) 640-1360
Email: flchappell@sbcglobal.net

Warren Wallis
Business phone: (620) 227-6304
Email: sgfabric@sbcglobal.net

Joseph Timmer
Business phone: (316) 858-3141
Email: nails8191@hotmail.com

John Askew
Business phone: (316) 617-0066
Email: djaskew@att.net

WHEATBELT AMBUCS

Erin Scammahorn
Home phone: (405) 375-4808
Business phone: (405) 375-7945
Email: escammahorn@krhhospital.com

Terri Stake
Home phone: (405) 375-6337
Business phone: (405) 375-4080
Email: tstake@kingfisher.k12.ok.us

Glenda Wolf
Home phone: (405) 375-6197
Business phone: (405) 375-6607
Email: gwolf@kingfisher.k12.ok.us

Stacie Simunek
Home phone: (405) 375-4532
Business phone: (405) 853-6880
Email stacie@mycsb.com

GREATER INDY FRIENDS

Janis Hecht
Home phone: (317) 873-3259
Business phone: (317) 840-6487
Email: indyjb@sbcglobal.net

Donna Carlton-Vish
Home phone: (217) 446-1953
Email: donna@heritagedevelop.com

Join "Club AMBUCS", Track Final Vote Results

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:26:40 -0700

All throughout this month you have answered the call to vote for AMBUCS.

Now as we enter the final day of our push for the Pepsi Refresh grant, you are cordially invited to join our new AMBUCS group on facebook.com, a.ka. "Club AMBUCS".

Experience the fun and excitement with other AMBUCS members and supporters, as we track the Pepsi standings all day long until the voting ends at midnight. You’ll be able to thank your fellow voters for their hard work and share messages in real time with friends from all over the country.

Visit “Club AMBUCS” on facebook now at http://www.ambucs.org/facebookpage

AMBUCS Unveils New AmTryke Product Catalog

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:26:23 -0700

AMBUCS Enters Final Week Of Pepsi Refresh Voting

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:12:27 -0700

It’s been a tough and exciting journey, but now the finish line is in clear view.

Yes friends, this is our final week of competition for the $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant and our chance to provide 100 AmTryke therapeutic tricycles for children with disabilities.

Thanks to your help, we currently find ourselves in striking distance to win this grant. But in order to finish in the top 10 I believe we must work even harder this week to attract new voters.

Please ask everyone you know to join our campaign and vote everyday for AMBUCS.
It’s free, it’s easy, and it takes less than a minute to sign up and vote.

To help get the word out, we’ve also created a new half-page voting flyer that you can print out and distribute around your community.
http://www.ambucs.org/assets/Feature-Images/Pepsi-Grant/pepsi-vote-inserts.pdf

You can also download this new advertisement and publish it in your local newspaper:
http://www.ambucs.org/assets/Feature-Images/Pepsi-Grant/AMBUCS-AD-SHELL.pdf

In addition, here is a link to a short video message which promotes the AMBUCS voting campaign. Email this link to anyone you know who has not yet voted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkUQZ1oVCbk

Thanks again for all you help.

Shoulders Together, we’ll be able to push AMBUCS back to the top!

Semaj Marsh
AMBUCS Communications Director
semajm@ambucs.org
(336) 852-0052 ext 17

A message from Susie Jackson about the Pepsi grant

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 08:28:22 -0700

Hello AMBUCS Friends!

This week has been extremely tough for me as I lost my husband and my best friend. I am not looking forward to the next few days, months and years without Dean. I do want to thank everyone for sharing your fond memories of Dean and the care and support you have given me. I look forward to sharing stories and memories of Dean with each of you in the future.

Now, as Dean would say...we have work to do.

I was pleased to see that we have moved up to 8th place in the Pepsi project. Most of you that know Dean, I mean really know Dean, will understand what I am about to share. On April 8th while Dean was in the hospital, I had nothing on my mind other than taking care of Dean. About 4 p.m. Dean told me that I needed to go home and get my laptop so we could vote on the Pepsi project. I apparently gave him the look, like you can't be serious and he said "Suze you have to do this, we cannot let the kids down". He gave me his information so that I could vote for him. I have continued to vote for him every day.

I am not asking that you continue to vote in the Pepsi project for Dean; because it is about the 100 kids that will receive an AmTryke, not Dean. But I will tell you that even when Dean felt his worst and didn't have many more breaths to take...he was thinking about the kids and doing everything he could to make sure his vote counted so that 100 kiddos could experience the fun and excitement of riding a bike.

Hugs,

Susie

AMBUCS Mourns The Loss Of Past National President Dean Jackson

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 07:22:13 -0700

Dean W. Jackson, 55, of Springfield, passed away at 8:31 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Memorial Medical Center.

Dean was born on April 11, 1955 in Dubuque, IA, the son of Archie and Alice Knobbe Jackson. He married Susie Russell on February 14, 2000 in Springfield.

Dean graduated from Galena High School and went on to study at Western Illinois University, University of Iowa, Oxford University England Queen's College Law School and Southern Illinois University School of Law. Dean obtained a Doctorate Degree. He was an attorney and was employed as the ICC Chief Administrative Law Judge since 2004.

Dean was a past member of the American Bar Association, a member of the U.S. District Court Bar Association, Sangamon County Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and a life member of University of Iowa Alumni Association, Ambucs, and B.A.S.S. He was also a member of Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation (N.W.T.F.), Pheasants Forever, Galena Elks Club, and served as a volunteer and member of the executive committee for the L.P.G.A. State Farm Classic. He also served as National President of Ambucs from 1999 – 2000, Ambucs National Big Hat President from 2003 – 2004, and was a member of Springfield American Business Club.

Dean was a very giving man who loved to do anything and everything for others. He had his own salsa garden, where he grew ingredients for his well-known salsa and chili. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, woodworking and cooking.

He is preceded in death by his father; and his brother, Stephen Jackson.

He is survived by his wife, Susie Jackson of Springfield; three sons, Matthew "Matt," Nathaniel "Nate" and William "Luke" Jackson all of Springfield; his mother, Alice Jackson of Galena, IL; five brothers, Paul (wife, Judy) of Galena, IL, Ross of Orange Park, FL, Scott of Galena, IL, Mark (wife, Darlene) of E. Dubuque, IL, Brian (wife, Lisa) of Middleton, WI; a sister, Lynn (husband, Terry) Gaber of Galena, IL; seven nieces; ten nephews; and a sister-in-law, Ginny Jackson of Rockford, IL.

Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., Thursday, April 15, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 16, 2010 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield American Business Club — Amtryke Program, P.O. Box 1273, Springfield, IL 62705.

AMBUCS Competes For Pepsi Refresh Grant

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:47:33 -0700

This month, AMBUCS was chosen to compete for the new Pepsi Refresh grant.

Out of 1,000 entries, ten winning grant projects will be selected based on the number of votes they receive by April 30th on refresheverything.com. If successful, our organization will be able to win $50,000 to purchase AmTrykes for children with disabilities on our national wish list.

Now here’s how you can help us accomplish that goal:

Step 1: Just visit www.RefreshEverything.com to register and create a user profile. It’s free and easy to do.

Step 2: Locate our “AmTrykes for Children Project” campaign on the refresheverything website (you can access a direct link at www.ambucs.org/pepsivote ) and cast your vote. You may vote for this campaign once a day, all throughout the month of April.

Step 3: Once you’ve voted, make sure you let all of your friends, family and co-workers know about this campaign and encourage them to vote every day as well. Each vote counts. You can also download free widgets to your own personal social networking pages like Twitter and Facebook, which will help you get the word out.

Remember: If AMBUCS is one of the top ten vote getters at the end of April, we’ll win $50,000. It’s that simple. Then we’ll be able to fund trikes for over 100 riders on our wish list.

You can also stay updated on our progress by joining our new AMBUCS facebook page at www.ambucs.org/facebookpage and by following us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/AMBUCS .

Let’s vote and show the world the power of AMBUCS!

Please welcome the new RDU Friends chapter

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:23:41 -0700

AMBUCS is pleased to welcome the RDU Friends chapter into our organization as the fourth new chapter of 2009-10.

This chapter represents the Raleigh-Durham area of North CarolinaThe RDU Friends were officially chartered on March 11, 2010.

Officers include president Jennifer T. DuPree, treasurer Jason W. Forlines, and secretary Anna R. Kerr.The group plans to meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7 PM.

Please contact Jennifer Dupree at (919) 349-4912 for more information about the chapter’s meeting location.Special thanks go out to Patty Vannoy of the Lubbock Monterey, TX chapter, who served as the sparkplug. Michael Hill of Lubbock Monetrey was the sponsoring chapter president.

Please feel free to contact the members of the new RDU Friends chapter and send them a quick message of congratulations:

Jennifer T. Dupree
P.O. Box 46477
Raleigh, NC 27620
Home phone: (919) 349-4912
Business phone: (919) 349-4912
Email: ugaturtle@yahoo.com

Anna R. Kerr
Home phone: (706) 506-0196
Business phone: (919) 622-2202
Email: annakerr81@hotmail.com

Jason W. Forlines
Home phone: (919) 782-0924
Business phone: (919) 857-9648
Email: jwf@pineapplelane.com

Please Welcome the new AMBUCS of East Texas chapter

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:22:18 -0800

AMBUCS is pleased to welcome the AMBUCS of East Texas chapter into our organization as the second new chapter of 2009-10.

This chapter was officially chartered on January 25, 2010. Officers include president Sonya Rigano, vice president Marsha Hon, treasurer Hayley Stansberry, and secretary Faye Herring.

The group plans to meet every Monday at 6:30 PM at Jason’s Deli restaurant, located at 103 West Loop 281 in Longview, TX.

Serving as sparkplug for this chapter was Al Bingham of the Longview, TX chapter. Special thanks go out to the entire Longview chapter and chapter president Paul Herring.

Please feel free to contact the members of the new AMBUCS of East Texas chapter and send them a quick message of congratulations:

Sonya Rigano
AA Alan Bail Bonds
102 West Methvin
Home phone: (903) 736-7379
Business phone: (903) 757-7800
Fax: (903) 238-8273
Email: azbailbonds@aol.com

Hayley Stansberry
610 Orms
White Oak, TX 75693
Home phone: (903) 295-1642
Business phone: (903) 239-2363
Email: hayley.stansberry@fms-regional.com

Faye Herring
3839 Gilmer Rd
Longview, TX 75604
Home phone: (903) 759-8372
Business phone: (903) 295-1237
Fax: (903) 295-1237
Email: adhcfaye@hotmail.com

Marsha Hon
3714 Ben Hogan
Longview, TX 75605
Home phone: (903) 295-6655
Business phone: (817) 480-0607

February is AMBUCS Visibility Month

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:55:52 -0800

It’s time once again to focus on ways to promote our organization and let the world know just who we are and what we do. February marks the return of AMBUCS Visibility Month and on Saturday, February 20, we’ll officially celebrate National Service Day. Throughout this period, AMBUCS members across the nation will organize various public relations campaigns aimed at attracting publicity and increasing local awareness about our programs and mission. As a special promotion this year, AMBUCS members are encouraged to celebrate Visibility Month by recording a short video clip of their chapter carrying out the AMBUCS mission. Then we want you to upload your footage to the popular video-sharing website youtube.com and share it with the entire world. You can also post a link to your video on our new AMBUCS facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=47449954643&ref=mf#/group.php?v=wall&ref=mf&gid=47449954643 ) and we’ll gather all the videos at the end of Visibility Month and feature them on ambucs.org and in our quarterly magazine.
For more information, please view our 2010 Visibility Month guide:
In addition, we have new promotional items in the AMBUCS store to help with your Visibility Month celebration. To order, please contact Dannell at 1-800-838-1845 ext 15 or via email at dannell@ambucs.org:

New AMBUCS Vehicle Magnets! For just $25, the AMBUCS Resource Center will send you a pair of these new full-colored vehicle magnets, featuring a smiling young girl on a trike, the AMBUCS logo in white, and the AMBUCS website address. These durable, high-strength magnets measure 17.3” x 11.25”.

New AMBUCS Awareness Bracelets To enhance our Visibility Month efforts, we are now offering new AMBUCS awareness bracelets. These 100 percent silicone bracelets are bright red and feature the words “www.ambucs.org” and “Shoulders Together”. They make great fundraising items. And best of all, they are only 25 cents each. Order as many as you like!

ORDER NEW CHAPTER BANNERS AMBUCS chapters can order their own personalized mission banner. These 2.5’ X 6’ vertical banners are made of an extra-durable vinyl material and come with a set of four clear adhesive hangers. You can order the banner by itself for $75 or the banner kit, which includes a portable metal stand, for $125. For ordering information please contact Semaj Marsh at (336) 852-0052 ext 17 or semajm@ambucs.org.