AMBUCS - Griffin Georgia Chapter

Welcome to America's No. 1 Chapter...
The Griffin Georgia Chapter of
AMBUCS
American Business Clubs
"Shoulders Together"

Dedicated to Helping the Handicapped
...And to Providing Scholarships in Physical Therapy

A Great History!

The Griffin Chapter of American Business Clubs was chartered on August 20, 1948 with 25 members, three of whom are still active today! And the Griffin Chapter continues today to work toward the same goal it established in 1948... the number one project for service clubs: Helping the Handicapped.

In 1951, under the leadership of Club President David Peoples, the Griffin Chapter organized a school for physically handicapped children in the community... the first school of its kind in the United States.

No funds were available to help support the class and the Griffin Chapter of American Business Clubs came to the little school's aid. They furnished the classroom, paid the teacher's salary, purchased a bus for transporting the children, and even recruited club members to drive the children to and from school in the bus. Many children had to be carried from their homes to the bus and then into the school.

In order to provide support for the schools, the Griffin Chapter held fundraising projects and, in 1958, a miniature golf course in City Park was built as the major fundraiser. Built with donations and a loan from a local bank, the course was constructed at a cost of $5,116 and was paid off in a year.

The little school, recognized as the pioneer of exceptional classes in public schools, began to receive state and local funding, and the movement grew to such an extent that in 1966, such schools became regulated by the state and federal agencies that provided the monies.

In need of a new project now. the Griffin Chapter decided, in 1968, to build a recreation field on High Falls Road... the current site of AMBUC Park, Dundee Mills leased the property to the Griffin Chapter rent free, as long as it remained a free park for the public. Thousands use the park annually, both for structured recreation programs supervised by the County or just for first-class family fun!

Scholarships

In 1981, the Griffin Chapter started a program to award scholarships annually to a local student in the field of Mental, Speech or Physical Therapy. We hope to increase this $1,000 scholarship as funds become available.

Presently funds are used to increase our local scholarship program and to participate in our National Living Endowment Scholarship program, which grants over 650 scholarships in physical, speech, hearing and occupational therapy valued at more than $357,900, Our contribution is at least $45 per member, per year. Since the inception of the national program, the Griffin Chapter has contributed over $50,000 toward scholarships totaling over $3,800,000.

Funds are raised through the miniature golf course at City Park, the AMBUC Park concession stand.

Moving Ahead

AMBUC members can be found seven days a week manning the AMBUCS facilities... the miniature golf course at City Park from Noon to 10:00 p.m. daily and 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays during the summer months... the concession stand at AMBUC Park during the Dixie Youth season (normally three months)... and at the annual AMBUC Golf Tournament with holes sponsored by local businesses, an event which shows great promise for growth.

So, encourage your children to enroll in the Dixie Youth baseball program, gather up the family and enjoy an afternoon or night on the Putt Putt Golf Course, or simply relax at AMBUC Park with the children on the playground equipment or in the gym. Help us put our "Shoulders Together."

Why we are proud to be AMBUCS?

Because we originated the number one project for service clubs... "Helping the Handicapped!"
Because the registrars of therapy schools in the United States keep a list of student aid organizations... and AMBUCS is at the top of that list.
Because since 1955, AMBUCS have furnished four million dollars for scholarships for therapists, 7011 scholarships in all! AMBUC trained therapists have administered over twelve million treatments.
No service club in America supports its national projects the way AMBUCS does on a man-for-man basis. Last year, AMBUCS nationwide averaged $42,50 per man.
Because we strive to stay concerned and caring, never losing sight of our original purpose, Working toward achieving this goal is what helps keep AMBUCS out in front!
Because we are dedicated to helping the handicapped and to providing scholarships in the field of physical therapy.

Join Us...
Shoulder to Shoulder!

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