Builders Care ramps up to help North Fort Myers man

Paralyzed as a result of a stroke, 64-year-old John Marshall uses a wheelchair for mobility. With only temporary ramps in place for emergencies, his family feared for his safety and his wife and full-time caregiver Mary suffered herniated discs trying to get him in and out of their home safely. To improve wheelchair accessibility at the Marshall home, Builders Care Ramps Up! program provided a free wheelchair ramp to North Fort Myers homeowners, John and Mary Marshall on July 7.
Volunteers led by Tom Killingsworth of Harbor Springs Building Company, constructed a 38-feet ramp complete with handrails and two landings in just two days. The rainy Southwest Florida weather did little to hold down the small group of determined volunteers.
“Despite the rain, the volunteers came through for us and the new ramp is a big improvement,” said Mary. “This is just like something you see on television. We have been so blessed.”
Ramps Up! is sponsored by Builders Care and is made possible by grant partners at the Southwest Florida Community Foundation. Other participating companies included B R Nieman Construction Solutions, Costco Wholesale, Gulfcoast Engineering LLC, Harbor Springs Building Company, Nilles Design, Suncoast Contractor’s Supply, and community volunteers.
“I am always so amazed by the hard work and determination of our volunteers,” said Heidi Taulman, executive director for Builders Care. “Rain or shine these guys all pulled through to help a neighbor in need.”
Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builder’s Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County.
Most recent top corporate sponsors include Real Estate Investment Society and BB&T. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 10501 Six Mile Cypress Parkway, Suite 104, Fort Myers FL 33966. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T (formerly Colonial Bank) Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Ave. in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 938-0056.
Source: Builders Care