Dean Clough, coordinator for this region, said the volunteer crew serves several surrounding counties. A growing organization turned into a 501c3, it began in 2013.

“We built just one ramp in 2013 and since then, it has ‘ramped up’ from 55 to 60 built a year to this year more than 75,” Clough said.

The group specializes in wooden residential ramps and typically builds between two and three a week from around March through November, depending on the weather. Consisting of anywhere from five to 15 volunteers, Clough said the group is loyal and dedicated to the call and mission of the ministry. The Kane District Ramp Ministry is a non-denominational ministry where referrals are made by social workers, nurses or word of mouth. Many volunteers at a recent ramp build said it’s rewarding to serve their local community, a different experience than going overseas on mission trips because volunteers get to see the outcome of the efforts. At the same time, volunteers said they feel blessed each time knowing that a difference can be made and appreciated in their hometown area.

One volunteer said it’s not unusual to find people who have not been out of their houses for quite some time because they needed a ramp to be able to get in and out. Many who receive a new ramp show deep gratitude for just being able to easily go outside.

Submitted photo A ramp table centerpiece is pictured during a Kane District Ramp Ministry annual dinner.

The pavilion at the New Life Church in Youngsville is where the modules for ramps are built ahead of time, making it easy to assemble when they arrive at the residence.

In the past, the Tidioute Community Charter School and Youngsville High School have helped build modules for the ministry as well. Tidioute students still help with the drilling holes in the metal plates that go at the end of the ramps as Dave Manning, shop teacher from TCCS, supports the ministry and has made some items for the crew such as engraved carpentry pencils and cups.

Repairs can be made if needed and when the ramp is no longer needed by the recipients or families, giving them a way of “paying it forward” to give someone else the ramp. It saves the ministry and they are able to use 80-90% of the ramp again. Some of the oldest ramps that are known to still stand are from 10 years ago.

The Ramp Ministry crew meet on Mondays and Fridays during their season, to take the modules and build the ramps. They even have a stop at Betts to pick up volunteers who work all morning, completing work by the early afternoon.

The last ramp for the year was put in last week. Regional managers at Warren’s Taco Bell recently provided lunch for the group after overhearing a conversation from a passionate volunteer, Bill Eaker, who remarked, “It’s us doing things but it’s also showing other people they can do things within their knowledge and their abilities to be able to help within their own area. None of us came into this as something for a living. People see this and they’re like, “wow, that’s here and I know where the money is going.”

Times Observer photo by Jessica N. Rex The Emporium crew went with the group from the Youngsville/Warren area and traveled to Russell to adjust things with a large ramp as needed. In addition, the group even built a small ramp for the door leading out to the long ramp.

Clough said $40,000 was spent this year alone in order to get the materials needed for the ramps. To make donations or for more information, visit www.kaneregionalramps.org, write to Kane Ramps, 18 Second St., Youngsville, PA 16371; or visit the organization’s Facebook page.