Three Windsor Central Middle School students traded in homework for hammers as they helped build a ramp to make a home in Endicott handicapped-accessible. Dominick Lehr, Grace Beattie and Noe Casas-Aguilar donated much of their weekend to improve the life of someone in need.
The effort is part of the Ramp It Up program, which pairs volunteers from congregations and community organizations to build wheelchair ramps for homebound residents of Broome County.
“My dad wanted me to do this because it’s something I haven’t done before,” said Beattie. “I think it was good. It was helpful.”
“We had to do a lot of digging, a lot of using a screwdriver and a lot of drilling,” said Lehr. “I just like doing that stuff and helping people. It makes me happy.”
Lehr was more than a student lending a helping hand. He actually brought a lot of experience to the project. He has helped his father who is a carpenter install tile and build chairs and shelves.
“But this time I broke more drill bits than I ever have,” said Lehr.
That was a small cost compared to the impact the ramp will have on the homeowner.
“He was talking to the whole group at the end about how happy he was that we were able to build it and that he could get down out of his house easily,” said Beattie.
This was the ninth ramp Windsor students have helped build. The first was in 2012. Students from the Middle School and High School are generally involved in two builds per year, one in the fall and one in the spring.
