Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis

Ramp Project

Jan. 17, 2009

Early on a Saturday morning, a dozen or so volunteers gathered at a modest house near Berry and I35. Despite the cold, they were there to build a wheelchair ramp for an elderly man who had an electric scooter that he was unable to get in and out of his house. The shiny scooter lived in a shed out back.

More than half of these volunteers were members of the newly formed Poly-Wesleyan Kiwanis club. This was the first time members had participated in the Ramp Project. Experienced and novice carpenters assembled the ramp with assistance from Wesleyan volunteers, including Holly Kiser, director of admission; Kara Persley, lead admission processor; Denelle Rodriguez, assistant director of operations for admission; and Sandy Myers, grants and communication coordinator. Student Mindy Pospichal was there representing the University’s still-forming Circle K group. Club sponsor Les Minear and Kiwanis Division 1 Lt. Governor Jerry Wright also participated. Kiwanis clubs focus on service to the community, particularly youth. 

The Saturday event was initiated by John Laine of the Texas Ramp Project. The Project began in Richardson Texas in 1985 and has since spread across the state. More than 2,000 ramps have been built in the Dallas area alone. The group is currently looking for donated warehouse space to pre-assemble and store ramp components so that more ramps can be built.