Transition of Ramp Up Co-Chairs

Bill Pogge (right) reviews ramp
plans with Ray Nowaczyk

Ramp Up Marathon County has always intentionally involved a diversity of individuals in its leadership team, including two co-chairs, one representing an organization who provides referrals and the other who is a "private citizen" volunteer.

This summer saw a Ramp Up Marathon County leadership transition.

Bill Pogge, a volunteer who had served as co-chair with Erin Wells (Aging and Disability Resource Center Community Resources Manager) for the Ramp Up leadership team stepped down to focus on work with Faith in Action’s Senior Home Safety Program and other personal interests.

Bill was an instrumental part of conceptualizing and actualizing Ramp Up. He wrote much of the by-laws, headed the work with funders and fiscal partners, and helped on site at the project builds. We sincerely thank Bill for all of his hard work and wish him all the best.

Mike Sydow

Mike Sydow has stepped into Bill’s former position, with Wells continuing as co-chair.

After 26 years as Marathon County Register of Deeds, Mike retired in January of 2017. When Ray Nowaczyk, a longtime friend of Mike’s and member of the Ramp Up leadership team, learned that the co-chair position would be vacant by mid-summer, he suggested that Mike check it out.

“I was more than wanting to be involved for quite a while,” Mike recalled. “I didn’t expect to be co-chair right away, but it’s OK.”

An interest in building runs in Mike’s family. His dad was always remodeling something or other, one brother is a builder and another is a building inspector.

But Mike has a special understanding of the need for ramps. He has been using a wheelchair since 1975 when he suffered a broken neck during a water skiing accident.

According to Mike, “It’s important for anyone with a disability to be able to get in and out of their home for work, medical appointments and social activities.”

And that’s just what the work that Ramp Up Marathon County does by funding and building ramps and specialized stairs for lower income Marathon County residents.

For more information about Ramp Up Marathon County, go to www.RampUpMC.org. 

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.

A Recap of Our 2015 andn 2016 Projects

This is a recap of Ramp Up Marathon County's projects, from oldest to newest. We are pleased to have helped so many individuals and families improve their ability to safely enter and exit their homes. A ramp or specialized stairs allows an individual with mobility issues to remain involved in their community, attend church services, get to doctor's appointments and more, and alleviates some of the stress and strain for their family and other caregivers.

Thanks to our financial donors and volunteers, we look forward to helping more people in 2017.

Best wishes for a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful New Year from Ramp Up Marathon County to you.

Ramp in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

 

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps in Wausau.

Low-rise long-tread steps Hatley.

Wheelchair ramp Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp Knowlton.

Wheelchair ramp in Wausau.

Wheelchair ramp Mosinee.

Wheelchair ramp Schofield.

Wheelchair ramp Schofield.

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.