Sharon Johnson of Bothell taught elementary school for 26 years until last year when Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) forced her to retire. The disease has now made it impossible for her to speak or walk. But Johnson will be able to continue volunteering at an adult family home and stay active with her church, her friends and her family thanks to a free wheelchair ramp built as part of the 20th Master Builders Care Foundation’s Rampathon Event.
Chris Huxford of Westhill, Inc., the Ramp Captain for Johnson’s ramp, views participating in Rampathon as tremendously rewarding.
“Westhill has participated in the Rampathon for several years,” said Huxford. “Our team always looks forward to seeing the happiness on each recipient’s face as they wheel down a ramp for the first time. It is so gratifying to know we’ve given them a little bit of the freedom that most people take for granted. The ability to go in and out of their house as they please, makes a difference in their lives.”
On one Saturday each May, volunteers from the Master Builders Care Foundation build ramps throughout King and Snohomish counties for low-income homeowners who, due to disability or disease, have trouble getting in and out of their homes.
This year a total of 17 families will receive free ramps thanks to hundreds of volunteers from the homebuilding industry. To kick off the event’s 20th year, a ramp dedication and press event will be held at Johnson’s home at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 14. The remaining ramps will be built on May 18.
“Ramp captains will lead their teams in constructing access ramps giving the recipients the ability to get in and out of their homes with greater ease and flexibility,” said Rampathon Chair Art Castilleja. “For many of them, it will be the first time in years they have not had to rely on family or friends just to get in and out of their homes.”
According to Castilleja, each ramp represents a unique challenge for the team as they adapt design and construction to the existing landscape and the recipient’s needs.
“Our efforts pay huge dividends when the recipient uses his or her new ramp for the first time,” said Castilleja. “It is truly life-changing – both for them and for the volunteers. It’s that wonderful feeling that keeps our volunteers coming back year after year.”
Craig Kruger, President of the Master Builders Care Foundation, wanted to especially thank HomeStreet Bank, presenting sponsor of this 20th anniversary Rampathon.
Since its inception, the Rampathon event has built more than 350 free ramps throughout King and Snohomish counties.
