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Huntsville Tennessee Valley AMBUCS Joined the Huntsville Christmas Parade, Dec 3rd. Three AmTryke Riders joined us. We wish to thank Kate Burnette and her Family, and Breanna Andersen and her Mother. They were able to pedal the whole 2.5-mile route with a little help on the hills.

Thank you Ms Wheelchair AL and Kevin Green for joining us. We are proud that the Mobile Evaluation Trailer is now complete and able to lead us in the Parade. Thanks to Ken Mitchell and Col. Solomon for Driving the AmTryke Eval Trailer and the Trailing Trailer – Where Michael Espey and his family rode along with Ms Wheelchair AL. Thanks Greg Davis, Mechanic Volunteer, for riding one of our larger

AmTrykes to demonstrate we serve all ages. Also walking was Cindy Perkins, Chapter President, and her

husband; Tami Tubell and her

husband; Lexie Tubell, Hannah White, and Sarah Prater from LMS Beta Club. Thank you all;

it was a lot of Fun.

AMBUCS ride in the Huntsville Christmas Parade

Ms Wheelchair Alabama 2011

We were Honored to have Shannon Roberts join us in the Huntsville Christmas Parade on Dec 3rd. As a Resident of Madison, AL she was also the Grand Marshall of the Madison Night Parade the same night. The Mustang Convertible was courtesy of Woody Andersen Ford, and was driven by George Kostakis. Shannon’s Platform as Ms. Wheelchair AL is to spread Awareness “Breaking the barriers of Social Misconceptions and Social Awkwardness.” Huntsville AMBUCS will be assisting Her in the 2012 Ms Wheelchair Alabama Pageant to be held here in Huntsville at ADRS, March 24th. The Pageant will also be honoring Little Miss and Junior Miss Wheelchair on the same day. Entrance Fees for these levels are available for a $50 Sponsorship. Contact Xaveria Powell-Anderson, Ms. Wheelchair Alabama Foundation State Coordinator at mwafoundation@yahoo.com or Phone 205-470-3219. Contact Tami Tubell for more info and volunteer opportunities at info@huntsvilleambucs.org

The 1st Quarterly News Letter

HTV AMBUCS DECEMBER 2011

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Make a Difference in Mobility Day was a Great Success! Brandon Johnson served in the Marines

from 2003 to 2007, as an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighter Specialist with 1 tour in Iraq. He was injured on Active Duty while machine gunner on convoy security. After Hospital and Rehab stay of just over 2 years, the Marine Corps Medically retired him. He moved with his wife, Tiffany and children, Amy 6, Rebecca 5, and Michael 3, to Huntsville, AL in 2007. Brandon requires a Cane while walking long distances due to Muscle Control Problem of his Left Leg. This makes it hard to keep physically active and challenge his Heart and Lungs. HTV AMBUCS met him during a Semper Fi Event in Fall 2011 and was able to get donations for a Hand Cycle 1000 Recreation Tryke for Him. He received his AmTryke during our MADD celebration and was excited to get it home, even if that meant strapping it on the top of his SUV. The Family has enjoyed many bike rides together since then.

Our 1st Veteran Rider

Huntsville TN Valley AMBUCS joined in the National Make a Difference Day (MADD) Campaign, Oct. 22nd. We held a great event at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens (Grisham Pavilion). This was a wonderful day to: Celebrate our New AmTryke Mobile Evaluation Trailer; Deliver 12 Amtrykes to new riders; Inaugurate the “Dave Upton – Spark Plug Award” and silent Auction Fundraiser. HTV AMBUCS held a Ribbon Cutting for the Mobile Evaluation Trailer funded by Huntsville Hospital Community Health Initiative. Shannon Roberts, Ms Wheelchair AL joined the Ribbon Cutting along with Dave Upton, from Birmingham AMBUCS. The Day was a great success thanks to the many Volunteers, to include the Students from Oakwood University Pre-Med Club.

The Dave Upton Spark Plug Award

To Honor Dave Upton for helping us to form HTV AMBUCS, we created this Award and presented it to Cindy Perkins, Chapter President, for all her hard work to keep us going. Thank you Dave and Cindy for all your help and hard work.

HTV AMBUCS DECEMBER 2011

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The AmTryke Evaluation Trailer Is Ready to Roll

Huntsville Tennessee Valley AMBUCS was formed in July 2009 to serve North AL and Parts of Southern TN. After Training the Local Members/Volunteers how to Fit the AmTrykes to the Riders; It was time to Get Demo AmTrykes for our Chapter. Thanks to funding from Huntsville Hospital Community Health Initiative (HH CHI), our AmTryke Eval Trailer is now a reality. This Funding covered the Trailer and 10 child-size AmTrykes. The Trailer was outfitted with hooks on the wall and padded flooring by Ken Mitchell, AMBUCS Volunteer. The Child AmTrykes arrived in September and were assembled by Huntsville Fire Station #2. The Trailer was first used at the Fall Fitting at Crestwood Hospital’s Conference Room.

These AmTrykes were delivered during our Oct MADD Celebration and Ribbon Cutting. Further funding from CAS CARES completed our demo AmTrykes to fit adults and Wounded Warriors. The AmTryke Trailer Signs were placed on in time for the Huntsville Christmas Parade. Our trailer has been seen at many local events recently including: Madison Street Festival, MADD celebration at The Botanical Gardens, Marshall Space flight Center Health & Safety Fair, and the Huntsville Christmas Parade. The trailer’s Next stops include:

UCP AmTryke Fitting – Jan. 2012, AL Department of Rehab Bike Build, 24/7 Fitness Tryke Giveaway – Date TBD, Fort Payne –Spark-Plug event.

Happy Smiles Adorn our Trailer Michael Espey and his Dad pose next to their picture on the HTV AMBUCS Mobile AmTryke Trailer. Michael’s picture was chosen because of the Joy on his face as Dad runs to keep up. The Banner Photo was taken as Michael received his AmTryke at the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation bike giveaway. Myiah Montague, on the opposite side, beams after receiving her AmTryke, in Spring 2010. The Back of the trailer features Brandon Johnson, our 1st Veteran Rider, photo taken at MADD celebration, Oct. 2011.