On May 27, 2021, RampsRVA installed their 500th wheelchair ramp for a gentleman in the Richmond area who was impacted by COVID-19. This ramp recipient lost use of his legs and suffers from other major health issues after battling Covid. Despite no underlying conditions, he was hospitalized for weeks and almost lost his battle with the virus several times. Thankfully, he has returned home, but it required four family members to carry his wheelchair down a set of steep stairs three times per week to make his dialysis appointments. For many recipients, their caregivers, and their family members, RampsRVA brings more than a ramp – it brings freedom.
The ramp being installed for this recipient was donated by Amramp, a 16-year partner of RampsRVA. Bill Grove, local owner of Amramp Richmond, has worked with the organization since 2005 not only providing the ramp materials, but also providing them with design advice, evaluations, estimates, CADs, materials delivery, installation oversight and quality control for their ramp installations. “The collaboration of Amramp and Ramps RVA often results in them being able to provide a ramp to those whom we are unable to serve. We provide the ramp materials and they provide the funding and the labor,” said Bill Grove.
Amramp CEO, Justin Gordon said, “We are humbly honored to have helped RampsRVA make life better for now 500 families and proud to partner with an organization that strives to help people with mobility concerns regain the independence and dignity we all deserve. Congratulations to RampsRVA. We’re looking forward to helping the next 500 families and beyond together.”
RampsRVA is a local Richmond 501(c)3 non-profit organization that builds modular wheelchair ramps for community members in need who have qualified for financial assistance. It was founded in 2005 by three high school students at Collegiate School and has since grown to more than 1,500 volunteers totaling more than 5,000 volunteer hours.
“What began as a small community service project amongst high school students has grown into a deeply impactful non-profit organization,” said founders Mike Dowd and Coleman Wortham. “500 ramps later, our mission of bringing mobility and independence to those who need it most is still sound, and we look forward to continuing to serve our mission.”
In the 16 years since its inception, RampsRVA has expanded from a group of friends looking to positively impact their community to a professional organization with a network that stretches across 27 high schools, colleges, and businesses in Henrico County, Chesterfield County, and the City of Richmond. Each ramp is assembled by a team of volunteers and can be recycled multiple times before it is retired. Throughout much of its history, RampsRVA’s volunteer base was dominated by students. While it still relies heavily on student volunteers, RampsRVA has expanded its volunteer base to include businesses in the Richmond area, partnering with several major employers who use the ramp installations as an opportunity to build stronger teams while giving back to the community.
Amramp is the leading company in the United States specializing in modular steel wheelchair ramps, offering sturdy, customizable ramps for disability access that enable the aging and disabled population to remain in their homes with independence and mobility. Ramps can be installed temporarily for short or long term needs without damaging the housing structure as they are not a permanent modification to the home. Amramp products comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are available for sale or rental with no minimum time frame and no ramp size restrictions.
Amramp provides wheelchair ramps, stair lifts and other accessibility equipment to provide access to commercial buildings and residential homes. For more information on Amramp, please visit our website or call at 888-715-7598.
