Ramps Ministry Page 1
Ministries > Outreach
"The Ramp Guys Completed their 500th ramp in Bath on Sept. 7, 2018"
Shining Star Award"
The RAMP Guys
of the RAMPS Plus Program
Nominated and Recognized for Pro Action's
Steuben County Volunteer of the Year - 2007
Beginning in 1998, the "RAMP Guys" have constructed 473 handicap accessible ramps for low and moderate income individuals experiencing mobility challenges. The labor associated with the ramp construction is provided by a volunteer workforce of 15 to 18 retired persons. As of the end of calendar year 2006, over $43,000 has been invested in materials, derived from a variety of sources. As changes in life circumstances occur, these ramps are recycled to new locations, brining a cost savings of $6,000 to $8,000 per year. It is safe to say that if individuals hired their ramp construction on the open market, their costs would more than double. When compared with aluminum ramps, what the "RAMP Guys" build for $500 would escalate to $5,000 to $6,000 for an equivalent sized ramp. The volunteer workforce is to be commended for their outstanding accomplishment in meeting a critical community need.
Nominated by David Hill, Executive Director
What started out as a way to fulfill a desire of the Couples Club of C.U.M.C. to help others less fortunate, in a way that did not involve raising money, has changed a great deal since our first experience in October '98. What we thought might be a one time chance to share a time of good fellowship while working to help someone in need, nine years later has taken ona life of its own among the retired club members, and other male members on weekends and evenings.
Office of the Aging does the actual screening and handles the finances, but the "Ramp Guys" have provided the expertise, labor, tools, etc to construct 473 handicapped ramps since October, 1998.
The "Ramp Guys" who respond to requests for help on a regular basis are; Al Belanger, Dick Jones, Don McIntire, Bob Kenville, Glenn Davis, Don Loveland and newcomers Bill Heard, Jim Young, Gordon Pierce, Carl Holden, Tony Shelley & Thomas Callahan.