There's a non-profit organization based in Erie and Crawford counties that has been doing fantastic work for 15 years. It builds ramps for people with disabilities so they can safely enter and leave their homes.
It's a free service that's definitely needed.

I'm in Meadville with a volunteer work crew for Ramps of Hope. The crew is building the program's 900th ramp. Ramps of Hope was founded in 2010 by a non-profit organization called All God's Children Ministries. (AGCM) Volunteers from various churches in Erie and Crawford counties came together back then to build ramps at no cost to the recipient. Today, the project is stronger than ever, according to Leslie Skidmore, AGCM Executive Director.

"Our budget was $500 when we first started. It's now $179,000. We work real hard to make sure every penny of that money goes to the program that builds the ramps and help people with disabilities,” she says.

This experienced group of volunteers knows what it's doing. What else would you expect from an organization that's building its 900th ramp? This ramp is expected to be finished in under three hours.

"We have three basic teams of gentlemen and ladies who come and build for us,” says Leslie. “They're all volunteers and they do a wonderful job."

This is a very popular program. The group is on track to build 70 ramps this year. However, there have been 129 requests for ramps. There is a waiting list. That makes everyone involved with Ramps of Hope a little sad. However, there is great happiness when the crew builds and finishes a ramp. One year, a 9-year old girl, who uses a walker, received her ramp on Christmas Eve. Volunteer Tony Wujcik will never forget it.

“Because she could get in and out of her home on Christmas Eve. It was a real Christmas blessing for us. And there wasn't a dry eye in the place,” remembers Tony.

This ramp is for Will Kristoff's wife who is ready to be released from a care facility but cannot come home until she has a ramp. Will is thankful.

"It's great. It's just great,” he declares. “People that come around and build ramps like this."

The 900th ramp is almost finished. All it needs is one more thing. The crew lets me drive in The Last Nail.

The organization gets its funding from donations and fund raisers.  The next fund raising event will be a silent auction and pizza party on November 1.  It will be held at the Asbury UM Church in Millcreek,  Doors open at 5 pm. People who would like to donate to the organization, volunteer, or ask for help, may call (440) 994-9321.