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| Photo credit: Ryan Papaserge |
BATH –People confined to their homes have greater mobility, thanks to the "Ramp Guys" –a group of volunteers dedicated to building ramps throughout Steuben County through funding by the county Office for the Aging, private donations and recycling usable materials. County Office for the Aging Director Patty Baroody said the volunteers completed 40 ramps in 2017, with roughly half paid by her department at a cost of $9,500, through a combination of government funding, donations from community groups and private donations. The United Centenary Methodist Church also donates funds and provides volunteers, "This is an astounding service at the lowest cost to help people remain in our community," Baroody said. "Mobility out of one’s home is critical to good health, like doctor’s appointments, and quality of life through social events." The county teams with NYConnects for referrals and, once approved, contacts the Ramp Guy’s lead engineer and coordinator, Glenn Davis. Davis volunteers his time and travel cost to visit each home, draws up ramp designs, estimates materials, tracks inventory of stored materials, both new and recycled, setting up building permits with code enforcers, and lines up his volunteer crew. Typically, the 10-person crew can set up a new ramp in eight hours, Baroody said. "We are the envy of many OFAs around the state, because of this program," she said. "We are proud and thankful for The Ramp Guys and all who make this collaboration possible." To request a ramp, or for more information on volunteering, call NYConnects (607) 664-2322, or the county Office for the Aging/RSVP at (607) 664-2298.
