Visibility Month 2008: Shining A Spotlight On AMBUCS
Each year during the month of February, AMBUCS members all across the nation begin focusing on ways to promote their organization and let the world know just who we are and what we do. During this period, chapters organize various public relation campaigns and special events aimed at attracting publicity and increasing local awareness about our programs and mission.
The following are just some of the efforts our members made this year to shine a spotlight on AMBUCS:
Decatur Chapter AMBUCS™ Visibility Month Kiosk Display
Members of the Decatur, IL AMBUCS chapter rented a kiosk at Hickory Point Mall this past February as part of their National Visibility Month promotion. The class-enclosed kiosk held the latest version of the AM-9 model AmTryke and was stationed in a prime location at the mall. Next to the display, informational brochures about AMBUCS were also made available to any interested mall patrons.
Oklahoma Governor Honors Great Plain Region
On February 10, the entire Great Plains Region of AMBUCS received an official proclamation from Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry in honor of National Visibility Month. Attending the presentation were representatives from the Enid, Edmond, Oklahoma City, Norman, Sooner and Lawton chapters. Also present at the ceremony were Logan Hobart - a five year old boy who received an AmTryke thanks to the Edmond chapter- and his grandmother. They were both joined by past National Therapist of the Year Maria Greenfield, AMBUCS National President-elect Anna Blubaugh, Great Plains Region Director Kent Clingenpeel and a number of current and past District Governors from the region.
Lawton Chapters Unite For Visibility Month
The four AMBUCS chapter in the city of Lawton, Oklahoma are always excited about the arrival of National Visibility Month. This year was no different as AMBUCS members in Lawton joined forces to organize a number of community service events that generated lots of media attention. The fun started on February 16 with a day-long ramp building project. The following week, all four chapters joined together to host the Amtryke Races which attracted excellent media coverage. Later that month, the chapters were honored at local CBA basketball game in which they were able to donate trykes at halftime to children with disabilities.
In addition, the chapters combined their resources and ran a total of 60 television advertisements throughout the month to promote the AMBUCS mission.
Enid AMBUCS Help Library, Earn Publicity
In February the Enid AMBUCS Chapters joined together to present the Enid and Garfield County Public Library with a check for $1,000. The Library had been damaged by heavy storms and many books inside were destroyed. Over 65 AMBUCS members were present at the hour-long presentation which garnered a great write-up in the local newspaper.
Walker Chapter Gets TV Coverage
The community service efforts of the Walker, MI Chapter garnered local attention in February thanks to a full-length news story that aired on WZZM channel 13, the local ABC affiliate. The feature was aired in prime time and vividly showed how the chapter was able to make a the difference in the life of an young AmTryke recipient.
