We were incredibly grateful for the amazing miracles that seemed to appear each day that we are worked on Rick Thomas' Ramp. Eelco Grodjes, from the Netherlands, arrived on October 31. The next day he created a proportional cardboard design. Saturday we reviewed materials at lumber yards and hardware stores in the suburbs. Eelco evaluated the materials that could be salvaged from the ancient ramp. Previously we began our GoFundMe campaign on October 19.
The first week of November, daily miracles began to happen. Monday Luke mentioned the boards we moved from Rice Street, and we paid a neighbor $100.00 for this pile of old 2x4 planks. Eelco and Josh dismantled the back porch and old ramp. We began to receive funding on Tuesday. It was amazing every day this week, something happened to provide either materials or funding to pay for the ramp. Tuesday we received free paint from Paulson's Paint Store in Forest Park. Wednesday McQuire-Western Lumber Company in Chicago gave us a deep discount for deck boards to cover the sloping ramp structure. The next day another neighbor offered exactly the needed wood 4x4 posts to complete the structure.
The weather continued to mock us with how cold the season could be with snow and frigid temperatures. Josh, Luke and Eelco developed the four part ramp at the back of the house. Every day I chatted with Rick and was encouraged by the beginning of smiles on his face. The ramp finished just before Thanksgiving. An amazing effort with more than 20 neighbors participating and two businesses.
The first week of November, daily miracles began to happen. Monday Luke mentioned the boards we moved from Rice Street, and we paid a neighbor $100.00 for this pile of old 2x4 planks. Eelco and Josh dismantled the back porch and old ramp. We began to receive funding on Tuesday. It was amazing every day this week, something happened to provide either materials or funding to pay for the ramp. Tuesday we received free paint from Paulson's Paint Store in Forest Park. Wednesday McQuire-Western Lumber Company in Chicago gave us a deep discount for deck boards to cover the sloping ramp structure. The next day another neighbor offered exactly the needed wood 4x4 posts to complete the structure.
The weather continued to mock us with how cold the season could be with snow and frigid temperatures. Josh, Luke and Eelco developed the four part ramp at the back of the house. Every day I chatted with Rick and was encouraged by the beginning of smiles on his face. The ramp finished just before Thanksgiving. An amazing effort with more than 20 neighbors participating and two businesses.
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