Maggie Mae’s raises $32,643 for local AMBUCS groups

Maggie Mae’s donated the proceeds from Thunder Weekend 2018 to the local AMBUCS organizations. Those pictured: Kynan Gibson, Peggy Timmons-Hawk, Tracy Hawk, Heike Anderson, and Tanya Show. *Photo courtesy Maggie Mae’s.*

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post

It’s a weekend of food and fun, but the ultimate goal of Maggie Mae’s Thunder Weekend is to help others.

For the past 15 years, Maggie Mae’s Bar and Grill on the corner of South and Broadway has offered a collection of activities known as Thunder Weekend. For the first 13 years, all money raised through Thunder Weekend events was donated to the Children’s Miracle Network. Last year, however, those at Maggie Mae’s decided to donate the funds to local AMBUCS organizations. They did that again this year as well, with the Breakfast Bandits and Noon Network AMBUCS splitting $32,643!

The money, complete with a giant check, recently was presented to representatives of both AMBUCS groups.

Thunder Weekend participants watch the keg throwing contest. *Thunder Weekend photos by Kristy Westhead of Westhead Photography, courtesy Maggie Mae’s.*

“We raised about a quarter of a million in the first 13 years,” said
Peggy Timmons-Hawk, whose husband, Tracy, owns the bar and grill. “Last year, we decided that we wanted the money to benefit local people, so we began donating to AMBUCS.”

Thunder Weekend is always the last full weekend in July, the same weekend the lead sleds are in town, Timmons-Hawk said. She estimated that through the course of the weekend, 5,000-6,000 people participate in Thunder Weekend events. Many of the events are family friendly, but after about 7 p.m., the events are for adults only.

“We offer family friendly events during the day so that children can participate as well,” Timmons-Hawk said.

For example, the bike show is scheduled during the day so that if kids want to enter, they can, she explained.

This year, Thunder Weekend kicked off on July 27 with the annual hog roast. The cost was by donation. Later that night was the Leather and Lace Contest and a free live band.

Activities on July 28 included a bikini bike wash, a ride-in bike show, a keg throwing contest, a tattoo contest, the Best Chest in the West contest, and another free live band.

July 29 began with an all-you-can-eat biker’s breakfast. It was followed by a poker run with a $5,000 purse and then a live auction. There also was a silent auction.

All funds raised through event entry fees, hog roast and biker’s breakfast donations, the auctions, and donations at the gate went to the AMBUCS, Timmons-Hawk said.

Timmons-Hawk recalled how touching it was when one year, a little girl emptied her piggy bank to contribute to the Thunder Weekend donation.

“It is amazing how generous people are during the weekend,” she said.

Timmons-Hawk was quick to praise all of the volunteers, sponsors, and customers who contributed to the success of the weekend.

“We are really grateful for them,” she said. “Without our volunteers, sponsors, and customers, this weekend wouldn’t happen.”