Saturday, I participated in something that’s been a goal of mine for over a year now. An aging gentleman in my community desperately needed his wheelchair ramp and porch railing at his house replaced to safely remain in his home. He had already fallen more than once due to a lack of handrails on the steps, and time had eaten away at the stability of the existing wheelchair ramp. Without a safe entry/exit point for him, the freedom and familiarity of aging in his own home was threatened. But thanks to Rebuild Upstate, its generous donors, staff, and volunteers, a handful of men from F3 Anderson could extend his time in his home surrounded by his support system and community.
Honestly, it was a little intimidating to sign up to help. I’ve had limited experience tackling improvement projects at home, much less as part of a team working on someone else’s home. We arrived to an experienced volunteer walking us through safety instructions and reviewing the plans Rebuild Upstate provided for the build. Several other team members had been on other builds, and we quickly found a cadence as we demolished the old ramp and started on the new one.
Each year, Rebuild Upstate helps more and more residents age in place through home repair and preservation projects like the ramp and railing we built on Saturday. Without Rebuild and its volunteers helping to tackle these projects, neighbors in my community are often forced to seek housing elsewhere—housing they can’t afford—or face homelessness.
As with all home improvement projects, most went as expected, but we also found other things that needed attention. A disconnected downspout contributed to the demise of the original ramp as water exited directly underneath it. Over time, dirt had fallen through the cracks of the ramp, causing a mound that ultimately trapped the water around the footers and between the ramp and the home’s foundation. We graded the soil to run water away from the house and repaired the downspout to allow the water to exit on the other side and away from the ramp.
The rest of the project went as planned. Rebuild Upstate provided all the tools, materials, and water to stay hydrated. A quick adjustment to the plan required a couple more pieces of lumber that staff member Cody Wright quickly grabbed and delivered before jumping in to help complete the project.
The homeowner stood at the front door throughout the day, watching and fueling our resolve with his smile.
Virgil (F3 Yertle the Turtle) & Alan (Rebuild Volunteer)
Mike (F3 Bareback) and Eli (F3 Pony Express)
Dave (F3 Blue Hen) and Virgil (F3 Yertle the Turtle)
Cody (F3 Bloomin’ Onion) and Eli (F3 Pony Express)
Dave (F3 Blue Hen)
Jon (F3 Dinghy) and Dave (F3 Blue Hen)
If you’ve read this far and live in the upstate South Carolina area, regardless of your skill level, consider participating in a project, sponsoring a home, attending an event, requesting a speaker to speak to your community group or business, or simply donating.
Additionally, three members of our team were over 55 which helped Rebuild Upstate receive $3,000 thanks to a federal grant through the National Corporation of Community Service.
Are you 55+? Find out more about the program.
Find out More About Rebuild Upstate
Rebuild Upstate impacts Anderson, Greenville, Pickens, and Oconee Counties in South Carolina.
