Newsroom

It was the perfect day to give back to someone who struggles with moving safely inside and outside his home. 86-year-old Leonard Dickey has bad knees and uses a walker to get around the first floor of his Shoreline home. He is unable to walk up and down stairs safely and confidently due to the inability to lock his knees.

There’s an expression that says you should enjoy the small things in life. Going outside and enjoying a walk on a sunny day, for example. Or getting to work or school and back without assistance or inconvenience. For too many, these tasks are burdensome and dangerous. For a few, getting safely to and from their homes has become downright impossible.

Volunteers gave their time and expertise to build a ramp for an 11-year-old Auburn boy last Saturday. The ramp, made possible through the efforts of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, Dunn Lumber, Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau and volunteers, will help caregivers transport him in and out of his home for safely.

Today was a special work day for crews from some members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties—the annual Rampathon, donating time to build mobility ramps for residents in need. Among this year’s participants, longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction.

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, president of Irons Brothers Construction, and his team designed and constructed a free wheelchair access ramp for Kathleen Wheeler of Edmonds for the Master Builders Association annual Rampathon event.

This week, Shannon and MBAKS President Mike Walsh take a break from building a wheelchair ramp to talk about the importance of Rampathon.

It’s now much easier for 16-year-old Remy Williams to get in and out of his house. The Williams family was one of several families to have a ramp built for free by volunteers during the Master Builders Association’s annual Rampathon event.

Shannon talks to Luellen Smith of Rhino Wine Cellars & Cooling Systems, this year's REX/T-REX Awards Chair and Associate of the Year, about REX and getting involved in our councils.