Lawton AMBUCS continues legacy with Pancake Day fundraiser

Since 1953, Lawton AMBUCS has been helping the community to overcome physical challenges through better access to mobility and independence.

For 68 years, they have had their annual Pancake Day fundraiser to gain funds for many of their projects. This year, they’re having it from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Great Plains Coliseum, 920 SW Sheridan.

AMBUCS is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people overcome challenges related to mobility and independence, Larry Holcomb, Publicity Chairman of the organization said. The organization has over 5,000 members throughout 156 chapters located in over 36 states around the country. 

Lawton AMBUCS averages nearly 100 members made of men and women from virtually all walks of life within the community, Holcomb said. 

“Like a lot of community organizations, we are seeing a lack of people who are willing to participate and give back to their community,” Holcomb said. “However, in Lawton, we are very fortunate to have people who will give back. All of our chapters have been able to maintain and even grow their membership. We meet on a weekly basis and have speakers from around the community.”

The organization usually presents an Amtryke, which is a therapeutic tricycle that helps people with disabilities gain better mobility and independence, to a deserving child and disabled veteran as needed and requested from their physical therapists, Holcomb said. Prices for the Amtrykes range from $750 to $2,000, depending on the size.

“If you have the opportunity to witness the smiles on these faces, you will be forever hooked on presenting more,” Holcomb said. “These children, in a lot of cases, cannot play with their friends or family due to their limited mobility and are just waiting to do things that others are doing.”

The organization also builds wheelchair accessible ramps for families that can’t afford to pay for it, Holcomb said. The ramps are built at no cost to the families. They also give scholarships ranging from $3,000=5,000 locally, but more nationally, to many different therapy majors such as Speech Therapy and Physical Therapy. Scholarship applicants can also apply for additional scholarships through the National AMBUC organization.

There are three AMBUCS chapters in Lawton, Holcomb said. Lawton AMBUCS, which was the original chapter, started in 1953. There’s also Mountain Metro AMBUCS and Great Plains AMBUCS. All three chapters come together to help with various fundraising.

Each chapter has various fundraisers that help with their expenses, Holcomb said. The Lawton Chapter has only one major fundraiser, which is the annual Pancake Day.

“This is our 68th year of putting on this event and we are so fortunate to have the people and businesses in this town that show their support of this event and also supporting what we do for the community,” Holcomb said. 

The organizations generally pays for the supplies for the event, purchasing and using over 50 cases of sausage, 25 cases of bacon, 33 cases of liquid eggs, 33 cases of pancake mix and syrup, butter, coffee, soda and milk, Holcomb said. There will also be a drive thru set up on the south side of the coliseum where people can pull in and pick up an order.

The funds will go towards many things such as the Amtrykes, scholarships and wheelchair accessible ramps, Holcomb said.