Around thirty volunteers turned out Sunday to help build a handicap-accessible ramp at a home in Westville. But Kip Sullivan, President of the Vermilion County Handicapped Association, says this ramp was special….
{‘’This is our 400th ramp. It’s a pretty good milestone for us, really. I think in about 25 years – we’ve been in existence for 30. We’ve probably been building ramps for twenty-five, so it’s a good milestone for us. We’ve got a nice turn-out today, and I really appreciate everybody being here and all the support we get from the community.’’}
(Volunteers pitch-in to build Sunday’s ramp in Westville.)
Of course it takes money to build all those ramps, so we asked Sullivan where they get it….
{‘’Donations. People do donate, and we appreciate that. And the Hegeler Foundation – Mervis Foundation, we hit them up, and a couple other ones. And our big one is we raffle-off that Harley-Davidson every year. And that’s our big fundraiser for being able to afford the wood and material – because all these ramps are free to the homeowner.’’
And Sullivan notes the volunteers who pitch-in to build the ramps come from a variety of backgrounds…
{‘’I’m a pipefitter-plumber. He’s an Operator. He’s a meat-cutter, and…he’s a college kid, high school son, retired labor, everything. Anybody wants to help out – come on out.’’}
(Banks watches as volunteers work on her new ramp.)
Sunday’s ramp was built at the home of Rose Banks who is thrilled with the support….
{‘’I think it’s rather marvelous – to be truthful. To think that these people have volunteered their time and do this. – It’s a wonderful thing!’’}
Sullivan says the volunteers hope to get three more ramps built before they conclude this year’s projects. If you or someone you know needs a ramp, call the Vermilion County Handicapped Association at 217-662-6331. You will get a recording and an application will be sent to you.
