Ramp Reclaimation and Reuse

When Ramp Up Marathon County builds a ramp or specialized stairs, we build it to last. But sometimes circumstances change and the stairs or ramp is no longer needed. Rather than leaving it to be torn apart and trashed, we will do our best to dismantle it so as much as possible can be reused in a future project. This allows us to maximize the financial investments made by our generous donors, which can also allow us to serve more people.

We recently received a call from a family for whom we had built a ramp. The individual who had been using the ramp was no longer living at the residence, so the family had no more need for it. Our crew arranged a time and took the ramp down. We were able to save most of it, and will incorporate it into plans for a future ramp recipient. Here are some photos taken by John Ohnstad during the "de-construction."

Thanks to all who showed up on a beautiful spring day to help take the ramp down and move the viable pieces to their temporary storage area.

Many Thanks to Our Funders and Volunteers!

Ramp Up Marathon County is run by volunteers. While there are no paid staff there is a growing group of caring and talented individuals dedicated to helping people those with financial need and mobility issues in Marathon County gain safe entry access to their homes. These people donate untold hours to review applications, select projects that fit all the criteria, estimate costs and manage budgets, write grant applications, plan, design and build projects and more.

But the giving doesn't stop there.

We also have some very generous organizations and individuals who donate funds to cover the costs of materials to build ramps and low-rise, long-tread steps. The community heroes include the B.A. and Esther Greenheck Foundation, the Aspirus Health Foundation and Thrivent Financial Services. Several individuals have also donated funds to help our projects along.

No one of us could do all this on our own, but together, we pool our resources and work together to make our community a little safer for our neighbors in the greatest need.

Thank you to all our funders and volunteers!!

Comment From the Daughter of a Recent Project Recipient

"I was just on the phone with my mother. She REALLY LIKES HER NEW STEPS! You should hear the excitement in her voice.
 
If you go out next week, just ask her how she likes them. I think you're in to listen to a song bird.

Again, I can't tell you how much we appreciate the steps and all you guys that designed and installed them."

-M-

EDITOR'S NOTE: M's mother was having trouble using the steps at her house, but she didn't need or want a full ramp. The solution? A set of low-rise-long-tread steps custom built by our volunteers. Instead of the typical 7" or 8" rise per step, these specialized steps have a 3" to 4" rise, and are deep enough to allow an individual to set their walker fully on the step before he or she steps up.

Another Ramp Completed

Ramp Up Marathon County completed another ramp this month (May of 2015) in Wausau. This one was for an elderly woman who was having great difficulty entering and exiting her home, even with assistance. Here are photos from the build. Enjoy this pictorial essay from Ramp Up Marathon County leadership team member John Ohnstad!