Ramp Up Thanks Wausau Tile!

Ramp Up Marathon County volunteer Dick Keding recently worked with Wausau Tile to coordinate a donation of fifty 12x12 pavers. These pavers will come in handy to provide transition at the end of some ramps and possibly as footers under the posts. Thank you Wausau Tile! Thank you Dick Keding!

Wausau Tile

 

Ramp Up Thanks the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin!

Ramp Up Marathon County received a Community Enhancement Grant of $4,900.00 from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. This one-time grant was used to purchase and equip a trailer and purchase some needed construction tools.

By receiving this grant and purchasing a trailer and tools, we are able to broaden our volunteer base because they will no longer be required to provide their own tools. The trailer also provides a secure, efficient, weather-safe means to store and transport our tools and general building materials.

A local church will let us park the trailer in their parking lot during the building season. A volunteer will provide off-season covered and secure storage on property outside of the Wausau metro area.

Community Founation of North Central Wisconsin

Ramp Up Marathon County Volunter Profile: John Brauer

John Brauer initially heard about Ramp Up Marathon County from his friend John Ohnstad. "It sounded like an activity I would like," he said. "After my retirement I had more time for volunteer activities."

John has been a volunteer for two years now and participates in the construction of the ramps. He enjoys working with a good group of people and learns things every time he works on a ramp up project.

"I believe these ramps allow people to remain living in their homes and still have some mobility," John Stated. "I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering with this group to give it a try-it is a good group!"

If you're interested in volunteer with Ramp Up Marathon County - to design ramps, help build ramps, assist with fundraising, or help get the word out to the community - please contact Erin Wells, Ramp Up Co-chair, at 715-261-6070 or toll-free 888-486-8545.

Ramp Up Marathon County Volunteer Profile - Jon Goertz

Jon Goertz (yellow cap) with a Ramp Up
construction team on a project build.

Jon Goertz first heard about Ramp Up Marathon County through friends at his church who were already Ramp Up volunteers. Ramp Up Marathon County works to help lower-income Marathon County residents who have mobility issues remain in their own homes by donating time to design, plan and build wheelchair ramps and low-rise long-tread steps, as well as raise the money to cover the cost of materials. There is no cost to the recipient.

As a graphic designer by trade Jon had done design work for the Great Lakes Americans ADA Center and became aware of the many challenges that people with disabilities face. He thought that Ramp Up would be a good fit for him and welcomed the opportunity to help make difference in a hands-on way.

Jon started with the group in the middle of last summer (2016). “I’m a newbie,” he said. “I basically do anything I’m asked to do. A shovel fits in my hands as well as a hammer, drill or tape measure. Everybody is more than willing to teach new volunteers the technical and code requirements and how and why things have to be constructed as they are.”

When asked why he chose to volunteer with Ramp Up, Jon responded that what appealed to him most was the ability to help  make our community a better place to live, and to have fun with the great fellow volunteers in the process. Plus his parents were both big volunteers so it may well be in his blood.

“Groups like this reflect the community they are from and in a small way make Marathon County a better place to live, start a business and raise a family,” Jon said. "And it gives project recipients freedom to be more self-sufficient and dignity. Two things that are hard to put a price on.”

Jon also recommends volunteering with Ramp Up to other people in the community. “You won’t regret it. An engineering degree isn’t necessary. There are parts of the projects to fit just about any skill level. And it feels great to be able to help fellow community residents regain the simple freedom that we all take for granted.”

If you’re considering donating to this completely volunteer-run group, Jon points out that none of these type of programs are possible without the strong commitment from funders.

“This community has been blessed with very generous foundations and benefactors. It reflects well on our community and makes Marathon County a great place to live. One of the first things I noticed with Ramp Up was the emphasis on efficient use of resources. Your funding will definitely be put to efficient and accountable use.”

For more information about how to volunteer or donate, please contact either of the Ramp Up Marathon County Co-chairs: Erin Wells at 715-261-6070 or toll-free 888-486-8545 or Bill Pogge at 715-675-5470. To learn more about Ramp Up Marathon County go to www.RampUpmc.org.

To find out if you are eligible for a Ramp Up Marathon County project, please contact a Resource Specialist at the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin, 715-261-6070, or Nancy Keller at Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc., 800-382-8484 extension 211.

Ramp Up Marathon County is a program of Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc. 

Thank You Notes From Ramp Recipients

"To all the wonderful volunteers:

You give so much of yourself in the kindness you show and the lives you touch. That's why you deserve a heartfelt "thank you" and a wish that all the goodness you share comes back to you.
Thank you so  much for all your time and talent to make a wheelchair ramp possible for me!"
Fred M.

 "Now I can sit in my walker outside, get to the doctor and get my blood tested. I couldn't get down the steps before."
Leonard P.

"The ramp is wonderful. I can go down it by myself. On stairs I needed help."
Joyce G.

Ramp Up Marathon County Volunteer Profile: Richard (Dick) Keding

We are fortunate to have so many wonderful volunteers who help Ramp Up Marathon County fulfill its mission. We will, from time to time, feature profiles of individual volunteers on this blog. Here, to start us off, is a profile of volunteer Richard (Dick) Keding.

Dick first heard about volunteer opportunities with Ramp Up Marathon County through a United Way information meeting. He began volunteering for Ramp Up in 2015 because he likes to build things and help others.

Dick Keding at a Ramp Up Marathon County build. Spring 2016

When helping on a ramp building project, Dick does whatever is asked of him, from moving materials to cutting boards to assembling the ramps. He has also served as the lead person on a recent ramp build and has built one small ramp by himself.

Dick has a strong desire to help others.

"I like to see people's joy and how grateful they are when we get their ramp built for them," Dick recently stated. "I also like to build, and I like the group of people that volunteer for Ramp Up Marathon County. Everyone is very friendly and willing to help each other."

There are a variety of skills levels among the volunteers. Sometimes Dick can teach others, and other times he learns from them. Either way, the group continues to bond, and ramps get built.

People who receive a ramp are very grateful for the new freedom it gives them. And Dick likes the way the ramp makes life easier for the person in need of assistance - whether they use a wheelchair or walker - and makes life easier for their caregivers and family as well. "It has to be a load off everyone's minds," he said. "It's a great feeling and makes me proud to be able to help folks stay in their homes longer and make it easier to get out and about."

Ramp Up stretches every donated dollar by carefully planning and purchasing materials for projects. The group also uses good materials from reclaimed ramps when possible. (Reclaimed ramps are simply residential ramps that are no longer used and donated to the organization.)

In addition to his Ramp Up Marathon County, Dick also volunteers for Blessings in a Backpack. Ramp Up projects are primarily in the summer, and Blessings activity is during the school year, so the two together provide year-round volunteer opportunities.

"If you want to make folks happy and like to be around those that want to help others, then this is a great volunteer opportunity," Dick said. "You don't have to be a carpenter or know about construction. You just need to want to help others and be willing to learn. We will put you to work."

If you are interested in volunteering for Ramp Up Marathon County or would just like more information, contact Ramp Up Marathon County Volunteer Coordinator, John Ohnstad, at 715-544-4346.