The nonprofit Texas Ramp Project is celebrating 40 years of delivering free wheelchair ramps to over 30,000 recipients across the state, and it wants to recruit volunteers for the work in De-Witt County.
A ramp is being constructed in Cuero Saturday, Sept. 27, according to Michael Moore, who works with the group’s Victoria North region.
“Part of our biggest need is volunteers,” Moore said. “The work is performed entirely by individuals and organizations that commit their time to building the ramps for those in need,” Moore said.
Group officials note the success in helping older adults and others with disabilities regain mobility was achieved thanks to more than 3,500 volunteers who have helped build ramps for those in need across the state.
If the ramps were laid end-to-end, they would exceed 158 miles—more than enough to travel from Austin to Houston or Dallas to College Station, according to the group’s statistics.
The Texas Ramp Project was incorporated in 2006 as an expansion of the Dallas Ramp Project, which began building ramps in 1985. The nonprofit has built ramps across the state to serve those in financial need. Last year local volunteers from churches, civic clubs and businesses built more than 2,700 ramps in 145 Texas counties, from large urban areas to small rural communities. The ramps follow ADA guidelines and are provided without regard to the recipient’s race, religion, age, gender or ethnicity.
Every single ramp is provided at no cost to clients and provides safety, independence and an improved quality of life for each recipient. Most ramps cost between $800 and$900tobuild,whichis aboutathirdthatofatypical contractorinstallation.
The Texas Ramp Project keeps costs low thanks to a grassroots organization with only two full-time employees as well as donations, volunteer time and materials donated to the nonprofit.
”Generosity grows when shared, and it becomes the bridge that lifts others toward hope and independence,” says Keith Henderson, Texas Ramp Project president. “The generosity and commitment of the Texas Ramp Project’s volunteers, donors and sponsors across Texas make every wheelchair ramp another step toward freedom possible.”
The Texas Ramp Project welcomes volunteers to join our local build teams. To sign up, visit www.texasramps. org/volunteer. No construction experience is necessary. All that’s needed is a pair of work gloves and willingness to help someone in need. Most ramps are completed in a single morning. When the volunteers head for home, they know they have transformed the life of a neighbor with just a few hours’ effort.
To make a donation or sponsor the Texas Ramp Project, visit www.texasramps. org. Nearly 90% of each dollar donated goes directlytobuildingramps.
To volunteer in the De-Witt County area, call Michael Moore at 832233-0821 or email hot_glass_works@hotmail. com
