Birmingham AMBUCS

About Us

Birmingham AMBUCS

AMBUCS™ has transcended into a non-profit organization whose mission is to create mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

 

Today, AMBUCS™ provides AmTrykes® (adaptive tricycles). These goals combined with the spirit of service displayed by its members helped spark the interest of local a businessman Dave Upton. He restarted the Birmingham Chapter of AMBUCS in October of 2007. Without his passion to make a difference in children with disabilities’ lives, we would not be here today without his generosity and his love for his Lord and those around him.

Our Mission

The goal of Birmingham AMBUCS is to make a difference in as many lives as possible. It is such a joy to see children with disabilities being able to be mobile, many for the first time in their lives, and ride in neighborhoods just like all of their friends. God has blessed us to be able to watch many children exhibit pure joy the first time they get the opportunity to ride their AmTrykes. Our number one focus is to raise funds to be able to provide AmTrykes to as many children as possible.

Our History

Since Dave eased away from the leadership of Birmingham AMBUCS, it has been led by several directors over the last three years. Greg Echols took over as executive Director in February 2016. Since October of 2007, Birmingham AMBUCS has distributed over $450,000 worth of bikes and AmTrykes. Birmingham AMBUCS owns a building in Vestavia that houses six other non-profit organizations as well.

Our Impact

Birmingham AMBUCS has provided AmTrykes to churches, United Cerebral Palsy, the Bell Center, Mitchell Place, the Exceptional Foundation, Easter Seals, Children’s Hospital, several local School Systems, Helen Keller School, Children’s on 3rd, and other therapy centers. Our main focus which covers probably 90% of our work, is identifying and distributing AmTrykes to families of children with disabilities.

After the children ride our AmTrykes at rehab centers across the city and central Alabama, the therapist and families contact us about helping the children attain a bike of their own, so they can ride daily at home instead of just periodically when they go to therapy. Therapists have realized the benefits for the children physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Our Executive Director

Five years ago, Greg Echols became the Executive Director of Birmingham AMBUCS. He says it “offers him the opportunity to be able to make a difference in these children’s lives.” Coach Echols is one of the state’s most successful track coaches in AHSAA history, and taught and coached kids for thirty-eight years in the Mountain Brook school system.

Greg is married to Gin Jordan Echols and has (2 Sons) Scott 31 & Tanner 22 (4 Stepsons) Jordan 43, Hunter 30, Josh 28, Reid 27 (2 Granddaughters) Kennady 14 & Colby 10. He is also an active member of Mountain Brook Community Church.

Learn more about Greg Echols.