PERSEVERANCE PAYS
GreeneBucs, we did it. We are Number 1 in the Nation!.
Working together as a team we swept the awards for AMBUCS this year. Arkansas was indeed a magical place for us this last week as those that were in attendance can attest to. Alan & Sue Eakle, Dick and Wanda Stewart, Pat & Bill Buckholt, Gussie Jones, Sandy Zimmerman and Steve Hummel
The convention got started off early for some of us on Tuesday with a trip to a baseball game, where we watched The Arkansas Naturals win their game.
On Wednesday evening the official events started with a party featuring wizards, magicians, Velcro walls, trash angels, and picture taking booth along with hand casting in wax, mouse races, and slot machines. This was definitely an AMBUCS "Abracadabra" party.
Thursday started with educational sessions on:

• AmTryke Mechanics
• Humor Therapy
•  "Awards Debate",
• Overcoming the fear of asking
• New Chapter Building.

General business session was next where we were warmly greeted by the Mayor. Quite a few businesses had discounts available for AMBUCS members and by frequenting some of these businesses money was raised for AMBUCS. Our featured speaker was Dan Keplinger, an inspirational artist also known as "King Gimp" for more information on Dan visit www.kinggimp.com
Sandy and Alan participated in Ramp Building around Rogers. Four ramps were built that day which enabled those households to be able to finally safely leave their homes.
That evening The Foundation dinner was held for the AMBILITY and William L. White Ambassadors where they were treated to a line dinner desert and entertainment at Simple Pleasures: Great cars, antiques and a look back at a simpler time. The entertainment was by Marshall Mitchell who says and entertained us with his cowboy humor.
The next day started out bright and early for The Big Hatters and their auction. The Big Hatters were able to collect as a total for the year $35,000 dollars at all the Regional Conventions, and Spring Training Sessions and at the National Convention. That money will be divided equally between scholarships and cornerstone.
Regional Caucuses were held and there we received our award for 100% Living Endowment. The Living Endowment program was next. Our club has reached the level of $125.00 and we received a patch for that. Our featured speakers were Bill and Beth Bandy and therapist of the year Terri King.
The golfers had their afternoon at the links and the rest of us either toured or just relaxed and got ready for the evening Awards ceremony.
At that ceremony GreeneBucs took away seven awards out of a possible eleven

• We took Second place for the Exhibit Award,
• First place for our web site,
• First place for public relations,
• First place for our scrapbook,
• Second place in Community service ,
• Second  place for local charities
• Alan Eakle placed Second for National AMBUC of the Year.

We also received a patch for being the Number One club in the Nation.
Saturday started at 7am with the AMTRYKE Walk-A-Thon. Sue, Sandy, Gussie and Pat participated in that event. The Walk-A-Thon raised over $7000.00 and that money will stay in Rogers to help purchase AmTrykes for children in that area.
At the General Business session that morning we received 4 more awards

• First place for largest amount in the nation for Living Endowment per member
• First place in the Big Heart award
•  An award for giving away 100 AmTrykes or more
•  First place among all the clubs in the nation for giving away the most AmTrykes

For a grand total of 234! Way to go GreeneBucs! I guess this means we need to buy a new banner!
Our Keynote speaker on Saturday was Roger McCarville , host of the Michigan-based “Disabilities Today" TV show.
That afternoon the AMTRYKE Rodeo was held where 37 children received their AMTRYKES. There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom and there was lots of joy, smiles and energy from the kids and their parents. Acyn Latham received an AmTryke from Pat and Bill Buckholt for GreeneBucs
That evening was a culmination of events with the installation of our new National President Anna Blubaugh, and President elect Cliff Bauerle. Anna’s message: “Step Into The Future, One Step at a Time
This was an event to make new friends since there were over 400 members in Attendance and renew old acquaintances.

Other News From the Convention
Annual Report: There are 110 Chapters or Traditional Clubs - 4037 Members There are 12 Friends Clubs - 947 Members This year there were 29 Blue Chip Clubs. Three new states were added, Vermont, Tennessee, and Alabama.

AMBILITY: A total of 2068 AmTrykes were given away. There will be an increase in cost maybe 25 to 50%. There are two more AmTrykes in development. One wheechair height and a recumbent bicycle, targeted for teenagers and adults. They will be 3 and 7 speed models.

Scholarships: Granted almost $168,000 in scholarships this year. AMBUCS is the largest contributor for scholarships to therapists. Since the start of the program over 7 million dollars in scholarships have been granted. The actual total for this year was $167,575.00 This year there were 115 applicants, but 227 scholarships were granted.

GreeneBucs: 100% plus on Living Endowment, averaging over $700 per member. Our Bigh Heart Award total was $39,511.33 which made us number one. Our Living Endowment Giving level is $125,000.

Our Club have the following members as William L. White Members: Pat & Bill buckholt, Alan & Sue Eakle, and Gussie Jones. We also have as Ambility Ambassadors: Sandy Zimmerman, Pat & Bill Buckholt, and Alan & Sue Eakle. Our Big Hat Club also purchased an Ambility Membership.

Here are Some Pictures From This Years Convention in Rogers Arkansas