AMBUCS is a 501c3 non-profit service organization that fundraises for custom-made tricycles for children and veterans with disabilities. This Saturday, August 1st, the Mid-Michigan Chapter of AMBUCS is hosting, “Bikes for Trykes,” / Joe’s Ride with proceeds helping purchase therapy tricycles for local disabled children and veterans.
The Mid-Michigan Chapter is pairing up this year with A Hero’s Legacy: The Joe Johnson Foundation, a foundation which is dedicated to helping the children of our fallen and wounded soldiers to further their post high school goals of a higher education.
This is the second year this charity “fun run” will take place. The average cost of one of these tricycles is $700 – the event is hoping to benefit a wish list of 30 children.
With over 100 sponsors, Bikes for Trykes/ Joe’s Ride is 80 miles long, beginning at 9am at Scooter’s Bar and Grill. With registration including breakfast, sponsored by U.S. Foods and homemade BBQ dinner, hosted at Baron’s Motorcycle Club at 5pm. For registration, it is $20 per bike to participate, and the first 300 registered receive a free t-shirt. To participate at the BBQ dinner only, a minimum donation of $10 at the door.
President of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of AMBUCS, Jackie Mason, shares her story. In addition to being president, she is also a mother. Jackie’s favorite part about the event, and organization in general, is that she was able to see her son, who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, ride a bike for the first time. “With this event, I get to pay that forward over and over again,” Jackie shares.
Through AMBUCS and Bikes for Trykes, children with muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and spina bifida all experience the carefree thrill and childhood right of riding a bicycle. “The kids remember the people who helped them,” Jackie says. “It’s not participating in just that moment, it affects them the rest of their lives!”
Even disabled veterans have the opportunity to try out the bikes. “This is the definition of community helping community, local people helping local people,” Jackie says. “I see people that participated in last year’s event that are still hanging out with the kids that they helped. It’s incredible.”
Along with the “fun run,” there is a silent auction, prizes, and raffles.
To register, donate, or learn more about the AMBUCS Mid-Michigan Chapter, visit midmichiganambucs.org
