HOUSE FIXERS STEPS UP TO THE PLATE
Project Background:
On May 15th I posted an ad to promote House Fixers, while placing the ad, I happen to run a cross an ad that stated:
Big hearts needed. Family is requesting help building a handi-cap ramp for their 15 year old son. At this point he has to be carried down the front steps to be placed in his wheel chair.
The ad also stated that they could not wait for the state funding to come thru, approx 8-12 months.
I knew then we had to do something, I spoke to a friend in the business: Mel Dening about possibly building a temporary ramp. I also set up a meeting with the Town to see what was needed. By Town code we had to build a permanent structure. I contact the home owner: Heather Gasparinatos and set up a time to meet with their family. Mel and I met with Heather and her son: 15 year old Devon Henry. We explained that he would build them a new ramp, if together we could all work on a funding source for the materials.
Funding:
I knew as a new company, there was no way House Fixers would be able to cover the cost of materials, but someone out there must be willing to help.
Heather contacted ARISE. This is a non –profit group that assists people with disabilities. We met with Devon’s case worker: Megan Donlon, she said that if the cost was below $1000.00 that this could be considered emergency funding. We went right to work, and figured a material list. We submitted the list to Megan along with pricing, and she started the process. In about 2-3 weeks we had received good news that the project would be funded. We picked up a check and went straight to Lowes in Syracuse.
After several rain soaked weekends and a few phone calls to friends for help, the project was underway.
Construction:
After submitting drawings and working with the Town, who was nice enough to waive all permit fees, we had the green light to proceed. I had recruited the help of Mel and my Father in Law Jim Adams. We set up the construction trailer on a nice sunny Saturday in mid June. We spent the day digging all 14 holes 8 inches in diameter and 4 feet deep. The Town inspector was very helpful and was able to sign off on our footings that day. We mixed the concrete and poured the footings to let them cure.
The following Saturday Jim and I built the landing for the top of the ramp and set 1 of the 8 foot ramp sections. After spending the morning dodging the rain we called it a day.
The following weekend was the big Day. Mel, Jim and I arrived @ 8:00am. We worked until about 4:00. We set the two other 8 foot ramp sections, assembled the railings, and constructed a set of stairs at the top of the ramp. We spent about an hour cleaning the site, and loading the trailer.
Day of Thanks:
After packing up the trailer, sadness was sinking in. We spent the past several weeks getting to know this family, and now the job was coming to an end.
Heather and Devon presented Mel, Jim, and I with gifts of thanks for the hard work we did. It was an emotional moment. I was going to miss the family. But I knew we would all keep in touch. As we drove away, I felt great knowing that we gave something back. It was a lot of work, but well worth it especially seeing Devon able to get in and out of his house safely.
What a great way to end a long hard project.
Pictured (Left to Right) Jim Adams, Glenn Korec, Devon Henry, and Mel Dening
