Ramp-building ministry helps people in need
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on January 10, 2016 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Noah Sugg, Alvin Bullock and Doug McKeel measure a board to be cut to ensure the ramp that they are building will fit over the stairs of a house.
If Bill Edgerton had his way, the headline for this story would read, "Help Wanted."
Over eight years ago, he approached his pastor, the Rev. Glenn Phillips at First Baptist Church, with the idea of providing minor repairs for those in need.
The former construction supervisor for Habitat for Humanity quickly realized there was a more specific challenge in this community -- building ramps for residents.
"It covers the whole gamut. There are many, many people now that are not confined to a wheelchair but they have trouble manipulating steps," Edgerton said. "A lot of those have fallen a time or two before they call us. Some are hesitant about having a ramp."
The effort has turned into a ministry for the licensed contractor. He is retired, as are the nearly dozen men from the church and surrounding area who pitch in and form "Helping Hands."
What began as a service to members of the church has rapidly grown to encompass all of Wayne County.
"To the county line, literally," Edgerton said with a laugh. "We have built them when you could see the county line. We go as far as it goes. In fact, the one we did last week was a couple miles from Princeton."
Every Thursday is ramp-building day. And like the postal carrier code that weather does not prevail or prevent the service, Phillips said Edgerton has often quipped, "It never rains in Wayne County on Thursdays. It never storms."
In the years since the ministry began, Edgerton has shown up each week with the building materials in tow -- paid for through a fund at the church, with donations accepted but not required from recipients, he said.
Were they to pay for such a service, between the time and materials, it could cost upwards of $350-400, the men said.
"It depends on the length," Edgerton said. "Sometimes you have a landing where they come off the steps and make a turn."
On average, it takes between two and four hours to complete the smaller version of the ramp. Larger ones obviously take longer.
Last year alone, 2015, the group had perhaps its busiest year, completing 102 of the projects.
A cumulative grand total was not available, as Edgerton admits he wasn't really keeping tabs on it from the beginning.
But it definitely has shown rapid growth, particularly in the last couple of years.
"I didn't start keeping up with it until a couple years ago. Two years ago, we did 54. Last year, it was 71. So basically it's doubled in two years," he said. "For the most part until three months ago or so, we were going along pretty good and then got 16 or 17 ramps behind. We prayed for help.
"We didn't get any help but the requests slowed down some. It's been pretty steady most of the time."
They usually have enough guys to man two crews. Sometimes they can complete two or three ramps on a Thursday, he said.
More volunteers would be welcome, though, since his current pool of workers are retired and eventually may experience slowdowns of their own. He hopes others -- from the community, from other churches -- might step up and support the initiative.
"We get as much benefit as the recipients," Edgerton said. "(Wife) Jan is also our promoter. She's always talking to people about helping.
"One person said, 'I'm not very religious.' I said, 'I'm not very particular.'"
Especially since there has been steady uptick in demand for the service. Referrals from home health nurses, the hospital, the senior center and other outlets make sure the "Helping Hands" have plenty to keep them busy.
And then there are the testimonials -- "How many do you want?" Edgerton quipped. Each story is unique, each a tender blessing, he says.
"We built one two or three years ago, the materials were 700 and some dollars, it was a long ramp and Jan brought lunch out," he recalls. "The lady we were building the ramp for called her in and gave her $27. That's what she could do.
"And it's such a helpless feeling at times for them. We build them literally where the people can't get out of the door and then they have people help them out of the house."
Phillips said he is grateful for Edgerton's heart and leadership of the ministry.
"Bill is wonderful and this church is wonderful," he said. "We have probably six or seven ministries like this, knowing that everybody doesn't have the same gift. The things that we do for this community because we're called to do it -- it's (all of) ours. It's the church's ministry because we realize that everybody in the church supports it, by their prayers, by their support."
Edgerton shrugs off credit, preferring to enlist others to respond to the Biblical call of being their brother's keeper.
"I think as a Christian and as a church, if you see a need, you do it," he said.
To volunteer, donate or find out more about the ministry, call 919-920-9541.