Funds for Mike Arnold's Family
St. Louis knew him as Gus Gus Fun Bus - champion of all things STL. Mike Arnold was an endless cheerleader of so many. On June 16th, Mike was hit by a truck during an attempted robbery in downtown St. Louis. Ultimately Mike's injuries proved too extensive and he passed away on June 21st.
Mike was not only a dear friend to many in St. Louis, he was also father, step-father, and grandfather of a big, beautiful blended family affectionally referred to as The SchArnoTicks. In fact, the entire reason behind the purchase of the 15 passenger bus known as Gus Gus the Fun Bus was purchased to make it possible for the entire family to be able to enjoy getaways and vacations together.
Mike was a genuine and passionate supporter of so many St. Louis businesses, not because it was his job (because it wasn't), but because he cared so deeply about so many. He seemed to be everywhere - every grand opening of a new restaurant or brewery, every food festival - and seemed to be the first to know of news (there have literally been times I've learned about things relating to my own businesses because Mike tweeted it before even I knew). There has been more than one occasion where we popped onto Mike's Twitter feed to answer questions about local businesses, traffic, etc - if it happens in St. Louis but @gusgusfunbus doesn't tweet about it, then did it really happen?
Read more about Mike Arnold's incredible impact on our community in these remembrances from Feast Magazine and Sauce Magazine .
Let's honor Mike's wonderful memory continue to show our love, support, and adoration as a reflection of all he did for this community by donating what you can and helping to share out this fundraiser. All contributions are deeply appreciated, and this fundraiser has been started with the permission and blessing of Mike's wife, Suzanne. Funds raised go directly to the Arnold family to help offset medical bills, funeral expenses, future lost wages, and honestly...back pay for years of Mike's tireless promotion of our city's culture and local businesses.
In addition to donations, do not think for one second that your outpouring of love and stories of how Mike so positively impacted all of our lives aren't critically important at this time as well. Please keep the stories and photos coming. Post Comments on this page or to Twitter and Facebook - tag @GusGusFunBus and keep spreading the beauty and the love!
From Mike's wife, Suzanne:
Our kids already know that Mike is the greatest dad, friend, husband, bus driver, and dad-joke teller ever. However, I think they will be so proud to experience the outpouring of love, concern, and assistance from this bighearted community.
I want to celebrate the effect he's had on all those who consider Mike a friend, supporter, and advocate for their causes.
In short, I want to honor him for being one of the best people I've ever known and probably ever will know.
We love you so much Mike. Always.
--
We will continue to post updates below about local fundraisers for the Arnold Family as well as opportunities to purchase GusGusFunBus shirts, pint glasses, stickers and more as we get campaigns organized. Check back often.
New GusGusFunBus T-Shirt Fundraiser Campaign: "It's all about the beauty and the love!" You can choose any size you need and you can even choose between six different types of shirts to have the art printed on including a tank top and even a baseball tee. Orders will be accepted for ten days and at that point, all shirts ordered will be printed and shipped. Offering these shirts this way allows us to focus on getting shirts in all of your hands without the family having to manage the logistics of individual sales and fulfillment of shipping them out. Here is the link to buy special new GusGusFunBus shirts:https://www.bonfire.com/gusgusfunbus
Want to show your support for Mike in a very Gus Gus Fun Bus kind of way? Check out one of these upcoming fundraisers at local breweries and restaurants, all to benefit Mike Arnold's family. If you are a brewery or restaurant (or any business) who would like to host a fundraiser on Mike's behalf, please contact us directly through this page with all the details and we will add you to the list. You are welcome to contribute any funds raised directly to the GoFundMe page or we can provide you with contact information to mail a check.
**Tuesday, 6/26 through Friday, 7/10**
Bailey's Range : Donating 100% of proceeds from "Fun Bus Nachos" special for two whole weeks! Get to Bailey's and eat all the nachos!
**Thursday, 6/28**
Beer Outside Pop-Up Beer Garden in Tower Grove Park at the Ruins Pond (4:00pm - 9:30pm): Donating 20% of Proceeds. Click here for the location on the map.
**THROUGHOUT JUNE**
Sriracha Grenada : Donating 100% of profits from online sales through July 19th.
**Wednesday, 8/8 (AUGUST 8th)**
The Pat Connely Tavern : Jordyn Dolan Gallery Opening to Benefit from 6:30pm-8:30pm. 100% of Urban Chestnut Brewing Company beer sales donated to the family.
Huge thank you to all everyone who has already hosted fundraisers for Mike's Family. We are so grateful!
Adam's Smokehouse , Third Wheel Brewing , Six Mile Bridge Brewing , Main and Mill Brewing , Two Plumbers Brewery , SugarBot Sweet Shop , Gioia's Deli , 2nd Shift Brewing , Ferguson Brewing Company , Good News Brewing Company , Square One Brewery & Distillery , Yoga Buzz , Pappy's Smokehouse , Bogart's Smokehouse , Southern , Dalie's Smokehouse , Epic Pizza & Subs , The Sweet Divine , Kirkwood Station Brewing , Exit Six Pub & Brewery , Craft Beer Cellar Clayton , Alpha Brewing Company , Sugarfire Smokehouse , Hi Pointe Drive-In , Plank Road Pizza , Steve's Hot Dogs , Sugarfire Pie , Switch Coffee Collective , Anheuser-Busch Biergarten , O'Fallon Brewery , Charleville Brewing Co. , Ices Plain & Fancy .
