Having access to your home should be simple but for those with limited mobility, even a few stairs can pose a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
This July, in celebration of Disability Pride Month, Bob’s is supporting Operation Ramp It Up, an Ohio-based organization that provides ramps for military members and anyone in need.
Bob’s presented a $2,500 Random Act of Kindness donation, which helped support a ramp build for veteran, Rainer Hartmann, who was diagnosed with ALS last March. Hartmann’s ramp was constructed in late July offering him full access to his Cincinnati, Ohio home.
“We like to give back to veterans and those with mobility issues by providing freedom, independence and accessibility,” commented Operation Ramp It Up CEO, Greg Schneider. “This will help them regain their freedom and independence to enter and exit their homes.”
Hartmann also received an extra perk during his ramp build when FC Cincinnati professional soccer player, Jimmy McLaughlin, showed up to help. Hartmann is a huge fan of the American professional soccer club and gladly accepted an autographed ball.
Bob’s representatives were able to attend the ramp build and present the donation on behalf of the Bob’s Community Outreach team and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Resource Group.
“Showing support for Disability Pride Month by partnering with Operation Ramp It Up is a perfect partnership,” said Bob’s DEI Manager Erica Bishop. “We are honored to support an organization that knows the value of having access to your home, especially during challenging times.”
Operation Ramp It Up was founded in 2014 by Schneider, a longtime UPS driver. As of this August, Operation Ramp It Up has installed more than 250 ramps in all 50 U.S. states.
Founded as an organization to support veterans and their families, Schneider said Operation Ramp It Up now supplies ramps for anyone in need. Schneider noted the organization will construct a ramp for a four-year-old boy with multiple disabilities later this summer.
Each aluminum ramp can cost between $2,500 and $15,000, shared Schneider, adding that ramps are often re-used making the projects sustainable.
With every ramp built, Schneider said he hopes to enrich the lives of recipients giving them full access to their homes.
You can learn more about Bob’s past DEI-related Random Act of Kindness donations by visiting the Community Outreach page here.
