Kevin Kerr
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
Many may know Duncan AMBUCS by their annual Wine’n on the Chisholm Trail fundraiser event, but outside of that, member Tammy Johnson said the public doesn’t know much about the group.
She hopes to change that by holding the first membership drive in recent history for the group.
“Roy (Tammy’s husband) and myself are the youngest members of the group, and we thought we ought to see if we could get some more people interested, some younger people involved,” Johnson said.
She said probably the reason the group doesn’t get as much attention is because they don’t do much out in the community as far as fundraising events. Members of the group pay monthly membership fees that pay for a majority of their main goal. The money they do raise goes toward purchasing AMTRYKES for area children, mostly, who have mobility issues, whether it be a physical or mental handicap. The TRYKES give the children mobility, and at the same time work as a rehabilitation tool.
“The TRYKES have foot pedals and cranks for their hands,” Johnson said. “So if they have good leg strength, but their arms need some help, as they pedal, their arms are moving too.”
Johnson said the group has purchased TRYKES for 10 area children, some of which have shown great progress after receiving their TRYKES.
“It’s great to see those kids come back after getting their TRYKES and see the progress they’ve made,” Johnson said.
She said the TRYKES can cost anywhere from $500-$1,500 for the smaller children’s version, to nearly $3,000 for some of the larger TRYKES. Though their monthly dues cover a good percentage of those purchases, they still have the “Wine’n on the Chisholm Trail” fundraising event and a concession stand during the “Cruisin’ the Chisholm Trail” car show, “Which we sold out at this year,” Johnson said.
To help boost numbers in membership, the group is hosting a membership drive and open car show Friday, Aug. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Elk Plaza Shopping Center parking lot. Johnson said anyone who wants to enter a car can do so for free. The best cars at the show will be voted on by the people attending the show, and at the end, the votes will be tallied and a winner will be announced.
“We’ve also got one-of-a-kind trophies made from spare parts by Bob Kammerer of BK Engine for the show,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be awesome.”
She said the car show is a great way to attract people, and the Duncan AMBUCS can use this opportunity to let people know about AMBUCS, and what they do. Also, those who come to the show will get a glimpse of some of the recipients of the TRYKES, who are encouraged to come and ride them around to show what progress they have made and what the organization strives toward each year.
For more information about Duncan AMBUCS or about the car show, contact LuLane Dutton at 255-8220, or visit their website at www.duncanambucs.org.
— Kevin Kerr is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354 Ext. 147 or by e-mail at kevin.kerr@duncanbanner.com.
