Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity (BBAHFH) is seeking metal wheelchair ramp donations for their recently introduced Ramp Donation Program. The ramps will be loaned to homeowners needing accessible access into their homes. When a family no longer requires the ramp, it will be picked up by BBAHFH and will be loaned to another family in need. The Ramp Donation Program will be helpful for those with existing accessibility issues, temporary injury, or checking out of rehabilitation facilities.
Explains Executive Director Christine Lacourse, “Along with building homes that are affordable for low-income families along the SouthCoast, we also service the community by helping with other homeowners’ critical housing repair needs. By collecting and storing metal ramps, we will have an inventory available to be installed by our volunteers when needed by a local family. Ramps are surprisingly expensive, often needed on short notice, and frequently are needed only temporarily. Our ramp program can give homeowners the accessibility that is needed to keep their independence and remain in their homes.”
According to Lacourse, “When we installed a ramp for one housebound woman this past year, she was so excited that she raced down the ramp in her wheelchair calling out, ‘I’m free. I’m free.’ Her first trip was to get an ice cream cone.”
BBAHFH is currently both looking for ramps to add to their inventory and for applicants in need of a ramp. The organization collaborates with other nonprofits in the region including the Councils of Aging, Coastal Neighbors Network, and the Association for Relief of Aged Women.
In addition to providing ramps, BBAHFH’s Brush with Kindness program also helps low-income people with critical home exteriors such as painting, minor exterior repairs, wheelchair ramps, weatherization, and exterior clean-up, as well as other Aging-in-Place renovations. BBAHFH can often keep repair costs to a minimum due to discounted materials and volunteer labor and may even provide the family with a no-interest loan to cover the expenses.
Since Habitat for Humanity is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization, ramp donations are tax deductible per IRS code. In addition to tax deductions, donors benefit from the removal of unwanted ramps and can feel good about helping families in need of housing.
BBAHFH was first established in 1996 and serves the nine communities of Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester, Wareham and Westport.
For more information on donating or requesting ramps, email Christine Lacourse at BuzzardsBayAreaHabitat@yahoo.com, or call (508) 758-4517.