While the American Business Club of Springfield is part of the national AMBUCS nonprofit organization, its impact has been locally focused for 100 years.
“Springfield volunteers raising Springfield dollars impacting Springfield lives,” said Kevin Lust, one of the club’s recent presidents.
Lust said ABC of Springfield is “dedicated to inspiring people to conquer challenges related to mobility and independence and to investing in our community more broadly through our support of local charities and deserving causes.”
ABC was formed in 1925 to foster fellowship and cooperation among its members. National AMBUCS owns and operates Amtryke LLC, which designs and manufactures adaptive tricycles. ABC is most well-known for providing Amtrykes for children and veterans who cannot ride a standard bike, Lust said.
“When you watch a child with different abilities receive a trike fitted just for them – often the first bike they’ve ever been on – you witness in real time why we do what we do,” he said. “Add to that witnessing the real results that the charities, school groups and teams, church groups and civic clubs enjoy through the support we provide, and you witness in real time why this club has lasted a century.”
Lust said therapists attest that the Amtrykes build strength and coordination. “But parents talk about something better: their child riding alongside siblings and neighborhood kids for the first time,” he said. “That’s independence, and it changes how kids see themselves, whether they realize it or not.”
Current ABC President Trent Thompson joined the club in early 2018 and soon had his first experience building Amtrykes for the club to distribute. “Thinking about the emotions I experienced and the joy we gave that day – I have been all in ever since,” he said.
Thompson said that each Amtryke giveaway is a rewarding experience. “But the first time I was contacted by a mom who said, ‘We no longer need the Amtryke,’ my heart dropped. But then she added, ‘It has helped him so much that he can now ride a two-wheeled bicycle.’”
Thompson recalled a particularly memorable event when a very small, fragile child was lifted from his full-support wheelchair and placed on his specially designed Amtryke. “Dad began to push, his arms and legs began to move,” he said, “and Grandma started crying and burst out with, ‘It’s the first time he has ever smiled.’”
Lust said that one of the club’s favorite Amtryke stories is about “our guy Waylon,” who received his first Amtryke in 2024 and since has graduated to a bigger model.
“He has ridden his Amtryke to lead our entry in the St. Patrick’s Day parade since then and has become quite the celebrity along the way,” Lust said. “He often acts as an Amtryke ambassador when others are receiving their bikes and is a big hit at every event he attends. He has so much fun that his dad ended up joining the club.”
In addition to the Amtryke efforts, ABC’s giving also supports dozens of Springfield area charities. Overall, the club has distributed nearly $6 million over the life of the organization. A significant amount of those funds resulted from contracts to manage gate admissions at the Illinois State Fair since 2004 and manage concessions in the Grandstand since 1954. Volunteers provide assistance to run the events, and in return the ABC donates to each organization that volunteers.
While ABC still will be involved in gate admissions, the club recently lost its long-term concessions contract for the fair. Thompson said the club is proud to still be active at the fairgrounds “in a big way” – with members staffing the admission gates with their volunteer partners. He said ABC is evaluating new fundraising events and partnerships so that its giving doesn’t depend on any one endeavor.
“Surprisingly, it’s a great time to be an AMBUC,” he said. “We’ll still be supporting over 60 charities through our Illinois State Fair admissions project, last year donating nearly $130,000 there. Our volunteer efforts at the Grandstand funded decades of charitable giving. We’re not sure how, nor even if, we can replace that. But our commitment hasn’t changed, and we’re determined to do as much, if not more, even if we do it in other ways.”
Thompson said keeping the volunteer pipeline full can be challenging, an issue faced by many other service organizations. ABC’s model depends on members giving many hours, such as long days at the Illinois State Fair, and recruiting the next generation of members who will continue these efforts.
“We deeply appreciate all the support we’ve received from the community over the years,” Thompson said. “For now, if you know a child or veteran who could benefit from an Amtryke, let us know. If you’re part of a group or organization that could help us manage gate admissions, we want to hear from you. If you are interested in learning more about ABC, reach out to a member.”
Janet Seitz is a local communications professional, writer and artist. To share your story, contact her at janetseitz1@gmail.com.
This article appears in August SBJ 2026.