ABOUT

WHO WE ARE

ABOUT US

Currently, there are approximately 5,700 AMBUCS members in over 135 chapters in 30 states. Why are so many people plugged in? Because AMBUCS is the fun way to serve!AMBUCS members enjoy the following benefits:
Social: Chapters provide fun, innovative service opportunities for people who want to improve their community. By working together, AMBUCS volunteers make their spare time go a long, long way.
Service: When someone joins AMBUCS they join a group of individuals who are ready to make a difference. AMBUCS local and national service programs generate intense satisfaction and pride.
Professional: As members work together, they contribute to chapter activities and goals while learning new skills that can pay lasting dividends in their professional lives. They also have the opportunity to make valuable contacts and develop essential leadership skills.

SOUTHWEST AMBUCS

Southwest AMBUCS is the Amarillo, Texas area chapter of National AMBUCS™, Inc. AMBUCS is a non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.
Locally, the Southwest Chapter has several organizations we support either by monetary donations or by voluntary help. To name a few:

Down Syndrome-Buddy Walk
Children’s Rehab Center
Special Olympics
Gobble Wobble

Members fulfill the organization’s mission by:

Performing various forms of community service
Donating AmTryke® therapeutic tricycles to individuals who are unable to ride traditional bikes
Awarding scholarships to therapists

SOUTHWEST

AMBUCS'

HISTORY

Representation

So that members in every geographical area are represented nationally, AMBUCS chapters gather for regional conferences and meetings. Through their delegates, these chapters elect a member to represent them on the National Board of Directors. He or she then becomes their regional director.

National Programs
& Committees

National Conference & Election of National Officers

Once each year, the delegates and members of all chapters join together in one city for a national conference. At this conference the national president and national president-elect are elected. These members along with region directors and the immediate past national president constitute the AMBUCS National Board of Directors.

Triple Chip Chapter

Southwest Ambucs was awarded a Triple Blue Chip Award for 3 straight years of 10% growth in membership. There are only 2 other clubs in the nation with a longer streak.

CLUB INFO

Club
Chartered

Club #620
Chartered 12-1-1973

Current
Membership

Meeting
Place

Amarillo Country Club – 4800 Bushland Blvd, Amarillo, TX 79106

Dues &
Breakdown

$50.00/month
This pays for your meals, national magazine, district and national dues and some club expenses.

OUR MISSION

Ambucs is dedicated to creating independence for people with disabilities. Nationally over $200,000 annually goes towards scholarships for therapists. 3000 AmTrykes/year are provided to those in need throughout the United States.

JOINING

You have to be sponsored by a member in order to join. The Board of Directors has to approve the application and once approved there is a $25.00 initiation fee

plus your $50.00 first months dues. Total $ 75.00

COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Southwest Chapter has several organizations we support either by monetary donations or by voluntary help. To name a few:

Palo Duro Ambucs
Amarillo Children’s Home
High Plains Children’s Home
Maverick Club
Another Chance House
Wesley Community Center
Family Support Center
Salvation Army
Windsor Elementary
Downtown Women’s Center
Texas Panhandle Centers
Hope and Healing
Women’s Abuse Center
Ado Companies
Boys Ranch
Canyon Christmas Project
Tanglewood Church Dress A Child
High Plains Food Bank
Faith City Ministries
City Church
Special Olympics
Hope and Healing
City of Amarillo Parks/Playgrounds for Children with Special Needs
City of Canyon Parks/Playgrounds for Children with Special Needs
Playground, Wheel Chair Ramp for Belmar School
Windsor Elementary Toddler Park for Children with Special Needs
Wesley Community Center Park for Children including Children with Special Needs
Texas Tech PT/OT Speech Therapy Students
Texas A&M PT/OT Speech Therapy Students
Amtrykes for Panhandle Children and other parts of the country.
Down Syndrome Buddy Walk
Children’s Rehab Center
The Bridge
And Others

SCHOLARSHIPS

Nationally: Our club pays $40.00 per member a year to the National Living Endowment Fund. That averages around $4600+ per year. Our cumulative total contribution to this fund since our charter date is $90,000. Over $8 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 14500 students since 1955.

Locally: for the last 10 years, our club has been using the national scholarship guidelines to award up to $25,000.00/year in scholarships to local therapy students. We have created our own Living Endowment Fund that totals over $125,000.

AMTRYKES

AmTrykes are a national symbol for the Ambucs organization. Through 2024 our chapter has donated over 1850 of these special tricycles to disabled children since its creation by the Longview, TX Ambucs Chapter in 1990. A qualification process takes place for the child and as long as the tryke will benefit him or her we’ll give it to them – no charge. What a great feeling it is to see that child’s smile and how the self-esteem level rises since now they have a bike like everyone else. When they ride they are performing therapy on themselves.

FUN

Socials are held on a monthly basis with many of them centered around activities for the whole family. We like to have fun. It keeps the club active and close where you can develop lifelong friendships. Join in! Examples

FUND RAISERS

Everyone participates in our fund raisers in order to make them successful. In 2004 we created “The Outback Derby Day” as our major fund raiser. A social for over 500 people celebrating the Kentucky Derby the first Saturday in May. You can watch the Derby, enjoy free food, drinks, a live and silent auction plus live entertainment. We sell admission to raise monies for our local scholarships and AmTrykes. In completing our 21st Annual event in 2024, we made over $5.5 million for our Club and Programs.

“Gobble Wobble” – Our Fall fundraiser – We use United Supermarkets and the Professionals at Edes Custom Meats, in Amarillo, gather and smoke 800 Turkey’s. We gave away another 800 frozen turkeys. A $100.00 donation gets you a smoked turkey and another one goes to a local charity to help feed the needy at Thanksgiving. A great time is had by all and we raise over $50,000.

CLUB OPERATION

An elected board and its committees direct the club. Each member participates in a committee of their choice. Ambus is a national organization with approximately 5000 members, 160 Clubs in 35 States. National and Regional conventions are held along with training seminars for new officers. Our Club has been ranked in the Top 10 Clubs in the Nation for the past 18 years. Setting the pace! AMBUCS is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Southwest AMBUCS is the Amarillo, Texas area chapter of National AMBUCS ™️, Inc. Ambucs is a non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.