A ramp is more to Donna Frazier than pieces of wood and concrete. It’s peace of mind.

“It’s awesome. It means I no longer have to hold my breath every time my mother uses her scooter or walker,” said Frazier.

Frazier’s mother, Hazel Driesbaugh, used a decades-old ramp whenever she left the house.

“When I’d go down it, I’d feel like I was going off it a little bit,” said Driesbaugh.

Students from the Varsity Club and Engineering and Design Development class at Windsor Central High School helped replace the structure at the Windsor home on Thursday, as part of the Ramp It Up Program.  

 

The program, run by the Broome County Council of Churches, is committed to providing easier home access to individuals in Broome County. Groups of students from WCHS have participated in 13 Ramp It Up projects since 2012.

 

“Helping out gives you a warm feeling. It makes you feel good inside,” said WCHS junior Frank Slavitsky.

 

“It feels nice to know I’m helping out in the community,” said WCHS sophomore Skylar Thomas.

 

“I used to think kids volunteered to get out of class. But, these kids came because they care. It’s nice to have kids who want to help,” said Varsity Club advisor Karen Webb.

 

This build was originally scheduled for May of 2020 before being postponed due to COVID. Moving forward, organizers from WCHS would plan to have ramp-building opportunities for students each fall and spring.

 

“The seniors from the Engineering and Design Development class have a chance to go out in the field and do something practical,” said EDD teacher Mark Wentka.

 

“It’s great when families come out and you can see the appreciation they have for the access to their home they didn’t have before,” said career counselor Heather Noyd.