Ramp-a-thon recipient: 'It's going to improve my life amazingly'
SEATTLE - On Saturday, dozens of volunteers used their day off to give others more freedom all year long.
Jan Lunak of Shoreline was one of 14 lucky recipients of a home wheelchair ramp in an event known as the "Ramp-a-thon," which benefits families throughout King and Snohomish counties.
Lunak says she doesn't get far without her scooter.
"These are my feet, it's my transportation," she says.
Multiple sclerosis makes walking impossible for her. But without a ramp, her scooter never leaves home.
"I haven't been able to get that out of the house for months," she says.
But all that changed on Saturday.
Ramp-a-thon volunteers built a brand new exit so Lunak can finally roll out her front door.
"It's going to improve my life amazingly," she says.
The workers from Irons Brothers Construction and Home Depot converged Saturday morning after weeks of planning.
"In April we get an idea where the location will be. We go out, we meet with the homeowner. We review the site and determine if it's buildable and feasible for us to do the construction in a day," says Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction.
The Ramp-a-thon gives people with mobility issues the freedom to come and go. And the volunteers say giving up a Saturday of sunshine is a small price to pay.
Volunteer Jeff Williams says, "It's really important and gives people that may not have the chance to come out and have fun in the sun today."
"I think more people should come out and do more stuff like this," adds volunteer Nile Arkush. "Help the community, help the elderly, help the disabled. It just takes a few minutes of your time, and it's a lifelong reward."
"I think it's going to be amazing," says Lunak, who is overwhelmed so many strangers would step up for her.
"I'm so humbled by all of that," she says. "Makes me realize there is goodness everywhere."
And now - it's in her front yard.
Jan Lunak of Shoreline was one of 14 lucky recipients of a home wheelchair ramp in an event known as the "Ramp-a-thon," which benefits families throughout King and Snohomish counties.
Lunak says she doesn't get far without her scooter.
"These are my feet, it's my transportation," she says.
Multiple sclerosis makes walking impossible for her. But without a ramp, her scooter never leaves home.
"I haven't been able to get that out of the house for months," she says.
But all that changed on Saturday.
Ramp-a-thon volunteers built a brand new exit so Lunak can finally roll out her front door.
"It's going to improve my life amazingly," she says.
The workers from Irons Brothers Construction and Home Depot converged Saturday morning after weeks of planning.
"In April we get an idea where the location will be. We go out, we meet with the homeowner. We review the site and determine if it's buildable and feasible for us to do the construction in a day," says Melissa Irons of Irons Brothers Construction.
The Ramp-a-thon gives people with mobility issues the freedom to come and go. And the volunteers say giving up a Saturday of sunshine is a small price to pay.
Volunteer Jeff Williams says, "It's really important and gives people that may not have the chance to come out and have fun in the sun today."
"I think more people should come out and do more stuff like this," adds volunteer Nile Arkush. "Help the community, help the elderly, help the disabled. It just takes a few minutes of your time, and it's a lifelong reward."
"I think it's going to be amazing," says Lunak, who is overwhelmed so many strangers would step up for her.
"I'm so humbled by all of that," she says. "Makes me realize there is goodness everywhere."
And now - it's in her front yard.
