Four stairs may not seem like much. But for Chauntel Steele, whose daughter needs a wheelchair, the steps can sometimes seem insurmountable.
“I have a soon-to-be 22-year-old daughter who has bad days and she can’t walk,” said Steele. “Even on good days, she can only go 20-30 feet.”
Enter a group of students from Windsor Central High School’s Varsity Club, who spent April 28th and 29th building a ramp for Steele’s home in Harpursville.
“This makes it so we can safely get her in and out of the house. It’s just going to be a big help,” said Steele.
The students participated through 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.
“I like volunteering and helping people who need it,” said student Shelby Goodwin, who learned how to use a drill for the first time during the build. “I wanted to help out before. After I found out it was for the daughter, it made me so much happier to help. It was for a great cause.”
“I just wanted to do something nice,” said student Dylan Fish. “I work construction over the summer for whoever needs help, so I have some experience.”
This marked the 14th ramp build WCHS students have participated in since 2012.
“It makes me feel good to help someone and make the parents’ day easier. To have that ramp make their lives easier means a lot,” said student Alex Balachick.