By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
It was just two years ago when volunteers with Rebuilding Together Henry County completed their 300th wheelchair ramp, and this week the group installed its 400th wheelchair ramp at a Cambridge home.
Steve Durian, left, and Dewey Ritchie were among the Rebuilding Together Henry County volunteers who constructed the group’s 400th wheelchair ramp in Cambridge. Submitted Photo
The organization was able to build 100 ramps in two years as a result of their “amazing volunteers, known as the ‘RAMP CREW’,” according to Sarah Snyder, executive director of RTHC. “The ramp crew is always looking for new volunteers and anyone interested is joining the group is asked to contact the office at 309-288-4600, and their contact information will be given to the volunteer crew leaders.”
The group recently began building ramps in Stark County and is seeking volunteers from Henry County and Stark County to assist with the program.
The ramps are provided free of charge to those in need, and there currently are more than 170 ramps currently in use throughout Henry and Stark counties. The remainder of the ramps, not in use, are being stored and will be installed at additional locations. A completed ramp request application is necessary prior to being added to the list and there currently is a waitlist of nine requests.
Applications are available at www.rebuildingtogether-hc.org or by calling 309-288-4600.
Dan Brudos is photographed at work on the recent ramp constructed by RTHC volunteers. Submitted Photo
In 1996, RTHC, formerly known as Christmas in April, constructed its first wheelchair accessible ramp at the former Geneseo Food Pantry on Russell Ave.
In the last five years, the group has provided more than 200 ramps for individuals with compromised mobility. When volunteers first started building the ramps, there was only one volunteer that would design the ramps, now there are six volunteers that are trained to design the ramps throughout the county.
Information received from Sarah Snyder stated that the ramps are temporary structures that, when no longer needed, are removed so that the large section can be recycled and used on another ramp. This “recycling” has kept costs down, especially now that lumber and material costs have continued to increase over the last few years.
Snyder said the program “relies heavily on local funding form the Geneseo Community Chest, Geneseo Foundation, Miller Foundation, and Moline Foundations. A partnership built by our National Organization with Lowe’s has helped build 40 or more ramps each year. This partnership over the past five years has been crucial to the success of the program. The Geneseo Foundation, Miller Foundation, and the Geneseo Community Chest have been amazing local supporters. Additionally, Great Dane has been providing the steel pillars that are placed at the end of every ramp as in-kind donations have helped reduce costs as well.”
Rebuilding Together Henry County volunteers include, from left, Hal Clark, Jack Gowan and Steve Durian. Submitted Photo