These Steuben County volunteers 'give people their freedom back.' Meet the Ramp Guys

Jeff Smith, Hornell Evening Tribune
Updated ·4 min read

It can be hard for some Steuben County residents to remain in their homes — or leave their homes — as they get older and face mobility challenges.

Enter the "Ramp Guys."

Ramp Guys, a successful volunteer program specializing in building handicap-accessible ramps for low and moderate-income people having trouble entering and exiting their homes, recently hit a milestone and completed its 700th ramp job.

"The thank you's and smiles on their faces are so rewarding for us because we know we just changed somebody’s life," said Ramp Guy Michael Wasserman. "We’ve built ramps for people who haven’t been out of their houses in a long time. It gives them their freedom back.

"There’s people who have to wait for someone to come carry them out of their houses, or if an ambulance shows up there’s really not an easy way to get in and out of the house. We’ve now provided that for them."

"The Ramp Guys" after concluding their 700th ramp in Avoca. Front row, left to right, Dale English, Linda Davis, Glenn Davis, Joseph Lawrence, Jr, Michael Wasserman, Henry Gottschall, Dale Landon, Matt Garrison. Back row, left to right: Larry Clark, Adam Ormsby, Frederick Wood, James Deats, Lanny Partridge, Louise Cagle, Pastor Barre Butts, Nancy Moir, James Young, Robert Kenville, John McLaughlin, Allen Belanger, Thomas Simms, Robert Edwards.

Gabe Smalt, director of the Steuben County Office for the Aging, said the group's efforts help give many Steuben County seniors the opportunity to "age in place" in their homes.

“The Ramp Guys provide a volunteer service that affects the lives of many seniors, and we look forward to our continued partnership,” Smalt said. “Steuben County Office for the Aging is happy to help support the Ramp Guys.”

How Ramp Guys projects come together

The Ramp Guys work two days a week. The group currently has 22 active members, with 10-15 usually on a location depending on how big the ramp is. The 700th ramp, completed in Avoca this month, was a little over 60 feet and the crew of 17 had the job done in under 3.5 hours.

Over the years, the Ramp Guys have become a well-oiled machine.

"Everybody knows their job. There isn’t even much talking because everyone knows what they’re doing," said Wasserman. "As we work our way down teams will break off and start on the railings. While other guys are completing the ramps a couple guys will get the next section prepared to go on. I primarily work the main saw. They call off lengths they need and I get them cut. It keeps moving very quickly."

Ramps are constructed using recycled and new materials. Smalt credits the project’s success to donations from area civic groups and individuals who help purchase the materials, annual Steuben County funding, special funding for caregivers who participate in an assessment, and storage space donated by the Finger Lakes SPCA.

The Steuben NY Connects aging and disability resource center screens individuals and makes referrals for the Ramp Guys program.

Ramp Guys, a volunteer group which builds handicap-accessible ramps in Steuben County, recently completed its 700th ramp.
Ramp Guys, a volunteer group which builds handicap-accessible ramps in Steuben County, recently completed its 700th ramp.

How the Ramp Guys got started in Steuben County

The Ramp Guys have been at it since 1998, making life a little easier for hundreds of area residents across Steuben County.

The original volunteers were members of the Centenary United Methodist Church. The Avoca Methodist Church burned in 1996, and the Ramp Guys fellowship was founded after the effort to rebuild the church on Jacobs Ladder Road.

The Avoca United Methodist Church still coordinates the ramp jobs and accepts donations on behalf of the group. Wasserman said most of the group is retired.

"Everyone volunteers their time, equipment and their vehicles to build ramps for people in need," he said.

Smalt said the success of the Ramp Guys is also due to OFA accountants Cathy Marlatt and Janet Olin, the Avoca church staff who process the bills, the record-keepers, the RSVP/Senior AmeriCorps staff that recruits and promotes the program, the OFA Advisory Council and Steuben Senior Services Fund, Inc. which donates funds, and Steuben County legal and administration officials.

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What's next for the Ramp Guys

Could the 1,000th ramp be in the group's future? Wasserman said "it’s one ramp at a time, but as long as we can go and get funding" the group will continue its efforts.

Ramp Guys was selected by the Association on Aging in NY to receive the 2018 Volunteer Innovation Award. The program also received the “Shining Star Award” from ProAction of Steuben and Yates, Inc. in 2007.

Former “lead” ramp guy, Glenn Davis, also was recognized for his individual efforts at the state ceremony in 2018, Smalt said.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Ramp Guys mark milestone on 700th volunteer job in Steuben County