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Collin Keehn| United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties

At a glance, Project Ramp in Lenawee and Monroe counties looks similar to any charitable service project in any other community across Michigan or even the country. But that notion is easily dismissed once a volunteer shows up and begins the hard work of building a barrier-free access ramp for a neighbor or community member in need. Lets walk through a day as a volunteer at a Project Ramp build to see just how unique and empowering this program can be:

8 a.m. Volunteers meet at the worksite and see a massive pile of lumber waiting for volunteers at the site. For newcomers, this initial sight can be shocking and overwhelming. But to veterans of other ramp builds this stack of lumber is just a starting point that will become the answer to a community members need for mobility independence.

8:10 a.m. A brief safety meeting and planning session so all volunteers can understand the goal of the work to be done and everyone can go home at the end of the day just as safe as when they arrived. After brief introductions, volunteers will have met people from organizations, labor unions, agencies and businesses from across this community. This mini-social networking session goes to show that volunteers from all parts of our community are here to help.

8:30 a.m. More experienced volunteers begin unloading the tool trailer and separating different sizes of lumber. At this point, many new volunteers can be nervous or unsure about what to do! At Project Ramp theres a job for everyone. Volunteers who have built a ramp before will take the time to explain the process, show tool safety, and even guide a new volunteer through using any of the power tools that could be used that day.

10:30 a.m. The lumber pile begins to shrink as groups of volunteers begin to frame and build portions of the ramp. As sections become finalized, they are lifted and attached to the legs built from another group. Small teams of volunteers, both experienced or otherwise, work with each other to turn a large pile of uncut lumber into the skeleton of the soon-to-be ramp.

Noon Just as volunteers begin to finalize the frame of the ramp, a car pulls up to the worksite. Its a staff member from the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties there to deliver lunch to the hard working volunteers. This lunch is likely donated by a local business, who was able to support the program and volunteers by providing a delicious lunch.

12:45 p.m. Now that lunch has wrapped up and the frame of the ramp is put into place, its time to put the deck boards on. The process of installing the deck boards to a wooden ramp is slow and repetitive, but its when everyone comes together as a team. Volunteers would work as an assembly line to finish the process. Measure, cut, drill, repeat. The longer the ramp is the longer this portion of the build is. But its a great time to teach a new volunteer how to use a drill or miter saw! Cutting deck board is a great way to practice for a new volunteer because every cut is going to be the same length, so there is lots of practice to be had.

2 p.m. Adorning the handrails is the next step. This process is a little more technical but always enjoyable to see a volunteer who has grown in confidence, ability and skill over the day volunteer for this portion.

3:30 p.m. Around this time of the day, any volunteer can step back and see the work theyve done. What began as a large pile of lumber is now a fully functional and safe ramp. For a person who's in need of a wheelchair ramp, their day began as it has any day in the recent past, stuck in their home relying on friends and family for help to get out. Now their day will end with a way to be a part of their community again. All that is left to do is sand and clean up.

4:30 p.m. Finished. Complete. Done. For new volunteers, they can step back and look at what they were a part of. Volunteers can look at the way theyve helped a community member while also learning new, handy skills. Whether it is learning how to use a saw or drill for the first time or reading a tape measure correctly, its an invaluable skill and a confidence boost. Experienced volunteers will end the day knowing that theyve not only helped a community member in need but also passed on valuable lessons while instilling confidence in carpentry in the new volunteers. But for all volunteers on a ramp build the day ended just as it had planned to go: a new ramp for a person in need, everyone going home safely at the end of the day and new skills that can be used in life.

For questions on how to donate, volunteer or apply for a ramp please contact Collin Keehn, AFL-CIO community services liaison and Project Ramp coordinator, at ckeehn@unitedwayMLC.org or call the United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties at 517-264-6821 or 734-242-1331 or visit http://www.unitedwayMLC.org.

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United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties: Project Ramp - Monroe Evening News