Porter County homeowners who would benefit from having ramp systems that provide safe access to their homes may apply for help this fall from the local affiliates of Rebuilding Together.
Rebuilding Together affiliates in Valparaiso, Duneland, Portage and Hebron are sponsoring “Ramp It Up, Porter County,” a campaign to install up to 10 ramp systems on Oct. 17. The campaign is being supported by a $25,000 Heroes at Home grant, sponsored by Sears Holding.
Homeowners eligible for ramp installation must meet low-income requirements, be a veteran of the armed services (or the spouse, widow or dependent child of a veteran), and live in the Valparaiso, Duneland, Portage or Hebron school systems.
Steel ramp systems will be installed and leased to homeowners at no cost.
Homeowners may apply for assistance through “Ramp It Up, Porter County” by contacting Porter County Aging and Community Services at (219) 464-9736. Applications must be received by Aug. 31 to be considered. Rebuilding Together volunteers will install eight to 10 ramp systems on Oct. 17.
Volunteers who can help assemble the ramp systems are needed. No special skills are needed to participate. Those interested in volunteering should contact Rev. John Albers at (219) 241-5765 or rebuildingtogether@faithmemorial.net.
Local sponsors also are needed to provide funding equivalent to 10 percent of the ramp system costs (between $250 and $650 per system). To find out more about becoming a local partner contact Rev. Albers.
Rebuilding Together is the nation’s largest volunteer organization preserving and revitalizing low-income homes and communities. Porter County affiliates of Rebuilding Together annually bring together hundreds of volunteers together to help elderly, disabled and low-income homeowners.