Showing posts with label rampathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rampathon. Show all posts

25th Annual Rampathon®: Now accepting free mobility ramp applications for families struggling with mobility

Monday, February 19, 2018

Irons Brothers construction crew volunteer
at the 2017 Rampathon

The Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), through its Rampathon® program, is now accepting applications for free wheelchair access ramps for families struggling with mobility within their home and from nonprofit organizations whose clients or residents struggle with mobility.

We are looking to make our 25th year the biggest Rampathon event EVER!

For 25 years, MBAKS members and community volunteers head to home sites throughout King and Snohomish counties to build ramps during the month of May, for free, because our neighbors in need deserve the same freedoms we have.

The crew from Ashworth Homes builds a
Shoreline ramp during the 2017 Rampathon

MBAKS is proud to help local veterans, children in need, and elderly community members become more mobile and independent.

Rampathon is about helping people and families with mobility issues. Our and our members’ goal is to positively change lives.

Although Rampathon doesn’t occur until May, we are accepting applications from families and organizations in King and Snohomish counties through March 1.

We want to get the word out and help more families who are struggling with mobility.

APPLICATION



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86-Year-Old Shoreline resident receives free wheelchair ramp during Master Builders Association Rampathon®

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Shoreline's Ashworth Homes built a ramp for
an 86 year old Shoreline man

It was the perfect day. Sunshine and warmth provided an ideal opportunity 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.

Dickey’s inability to safely go for a walk or take a trip to the store is why Rampathon® has existed for 24 years.

The annual one-day event changes the lives of so many families because they are given the gift of freedom once again through the building of a free wheelchair access ramp for those who need it the most. Dickey’s ramp is just one of the 43 ramps built during this year’s Rampathon, held this past Saturday, May 20.

Ashworth Homes, whose team built Dickey’s ramp, has proudly volunteered for Rampathon for the past five years.

“It is a great opportunity to serve the community by providing accessibility and independence to folks who need a little help, but is also a chance for our building teams to work together on a common project,” says Ashworth’s President, Erich Armbruster. 
“It's always a wonderful afternoon, and we are grateful to the MBA for providing the organization and support!”

Rampathon® is an annual event where members of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties come together to build ramps for families throughout King and Snohomish counties.

It couldn’t happen without members like Ashworth Homes and 2017 sponsor Dunn Lumber who are willing to donate their time, talents, and materials. Since 1993, more than 440 ramps have been built and $1.7 million of in-kind donations provided for our neighbors in need.

Ashworth Homes has two locations: 14419 Greenwood Ave N, Suite #A-179, Seattle, and 1501 N 200th St in Shoreline.


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Chermak Construction makes a difference at Rampathon

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Chermak Construction built a wheelchair ramp


Volunteers from Edmonds-based Chermak Construction, Inc. turned out to participate in Rampathon® 2017 on Saturday.

This year marks the 24th anniversary of this event sponsored by the Master Builders Care Foundation — the philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties. Rampathon® brings together local construction companies and vendors to build wheelchair ramps for recipients in need.

Jon Elkins, Project Developer at Chermak Construction, Inc rallied fellow co-workers for this year's project.

Elkins says, “It’s a great opportunity to serve someone in our community. Nothing builds strong relationships more than working together to reach a goal.”

Team Chermak had the privilege of building a ramp for a 13-year-old boy named Charlie Levasseur, who lives in Edmonds. Charlie has cerebral palsy and primarily uses a wheel chair. To get in or out of the house he must leave his power chair in the garage while others help lift him over the obstacle of steps. Having a ramp will greatly enhance his independence.

Since 1993, more than 440 ramps have been built in King and Snohomish counties and $1.7 million of in-kind donations have been provided. Local volunteers from the home building and remodeling industry have taken time to create custom ramp designs and lay all the groundwork for each project. Because this is a one-day event, lots of pre-planning goes into each of the projects.

Special thanks to continued support from Dunn Lumber who supplied the materials for this project.



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Edmonds mother regains freedom with a wheel chair ramp

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Kathleen Wheeler holds the jackhammer as the
crew pauses from breaking up concrete for a photo op
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

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.

You can't roll a wheelchair over this
Photo courtesy Irons Bros.
For many years, Kathleen has struggled with severe Osteo-Arthritis (OA), Fibromyalgia and Diabetes, which makes mobility difficult and walking extremely painful.

For many of us, exiting our home without an obstacle is something we take for granted. For Kathleen, it’s almost impossible. With the new wheelchair ramp, Kathleen and her family are looking forward to a whole new perspective on life.

As her son Chris stated, “Having a ramp will enable her wheelchair to move into and out of her home, giving her the freedom she so deeply desires and desperately needs.”

Getting started
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

The ramp site construction began early on the 20th, waking the neighborhood at around 8am. Over a dozen volunteers, including Irons Brothers Construction’s staff, colleagues, friends, family, along with the owner and team from 3 Guys Construction gathered for the construction.

They completed the build on Saturday and a crew will be back on Monday to pour the concrete.

The reward for the crew is when Kathleen can safely wheel herself down the new ramp. Irons Brothers Construction maintains the highest commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the local community is at the heart of who we are. 

Michell Filleau-Maas, Community Stewardship Manager Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, said,

"Joseph and Melissa Irons and their team are true gifts to our community. Their decade-long involvement in Rampathon®, as well as other events sponsored by the Master Builders Association, is a wonderful example of dedication to giving back to the areas they serve. 
Each year, volunteering their time and talent, they have changed the lives of individuals who are home-bound or limited in their ability to leave their homes. That’s what Rampathon® is all about.”


If the ramp means freedom for Kathleen and others
then these are the freedom fighters
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, Kathleen Wheeler, along with over 40 other families throughout King and Snohomish Counties were the recipients of a free wheel chair ramps built as part of the Master Builders Association’s Rampathon® Event.

This year, Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, will participate in their 13th Rampathon®

Thanks to the Master Builders Association and the generous donors listed below, this ramp was built at no cost to the recipient.

We believe our neighbors in need deserve the same freedoms we have. Wheelchair access ramps are their link to our beautiful community we all share.

Special recognition to donors for the Kathleen Wheeler ramp:

  • Irons Brothers Construction, Inc. for volunteer labor and materials
  • 3 Guys Construction for volunteer labor and materials
  • Dunn Lumber for lumber material donation

Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction
Irons Brothers Construction is celebrating 18 years of business in 2017 and has a Design + Build Center showroom located at 1510 NE 170th St., Shoreline 98155. 

Here they showcase universal design, aging in place remodeling, and best construction practices. Company owner, Joseph Irons and team, have their Certified Aging in Place Specialist designations (CAPS) thru the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Certified Living in Place Professional certifications (CLIPP) thru the Living in Place Institute.

In each remodel they incorporate universal design principles and practices when possible.




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Do you know someone who needs a wheelchair ramp?

Monday, January 9, 2017

Irons Brothers volunteers build a ramp
for a Shoreline resident
Photo by Tom Redner

Rampathon


Each year since 1993, MBA members and community volunteers head to a home site somewhere in King or Snohomish County to build a ramp. For free.

Because our neighbors in need deserve the same freedoms we have. Wheelchair access ramps are their link to our beautiful community we all share.

The Master Builders Association, through their Care Foundation, is proud to help local veterans, children in need, and elderly community members become more mobile and independent.

See previous article: Free wheelchair ramp gives Shoreline woman independence

Do you know someone who is struggling to get a wheelchair over steps? Let them know how to apply for Rampathon this year.

Applications to be considered for a free wheelchair ramp are available now.
Applications are due by Wednesday, March 1, 2017.

You could be helping to change a life for the better.


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Shoreline company builds a ramp for three-year-old Mountlake Terrace toddler

Monday, May 30, 2016

Elsa's family couldn't lift her power chair over the steps
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, President of Irons Brothers Construction in Shoreline and this year’s Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBA) President, and his team of staff and volunteers, designed and constructed a free wheelchair access ramp for Elsa Wall of Mountlake Terrace during the annual Rampathon event on May 21.

Elsa, who is 3, has been diagnosed with spastic Cerebral Palsy quadriplegia. She has an electric power chair, but up until now, has only used it on rare occasions as her parents have to lift the very heavy equipment over the doorway and stairs.

Elsa’s father, Rich Wall, a fellow MBA member, lacked financial resources due the financial strain of Elsa’s medical expenses and therapy. Therefore, to fund the ramp, the MBA’s Rampathon program and its sponsors volunteered their time and materials to build the new home’s walkway and wheel chair access.''

Elsa puts her hand prints in the drying concrete.
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

Elsa requires full-time care and this is performed by her mother, Bevan, who stays at home with her, while father Rich is the operations manager for a painting company. Elsa loves to listen to music and watch sports with her family. She also can be found smiling when her Grandmother, Janice dances for her!

“Elsa is getting heavier to carry in and out of the house from the car as she’s getting older, “says Bevan. With the new concrete accessible wheel-chair ramp, the family and Elsa are looking forward to an improved way of life.

This year’s Rampathon project, built of easy to maintain and eye-pleasing concrete, is one small way that these local builders and volunteers from Irons Brothers Construction have helped this family to improve their daily lives. 

Volunteer team from Irons Brothers
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers

The dozen volunteers, included Irons Brothers Construction staff, colleagues, friends, family, along with the owners of Foundations, Etc. and Greenworks Concrete.

This year marks the 23rd year of Rampathon – providing over 350-wheelchair access ramps, totaling more than 1.7 million dollars of in-kind contributions since 1993. This year, Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, participated in its 12th year with Rampathon. Thanks to the Master Builders Association and the generous donors, the ramp was built at no cost to the recipient.

Irons Brothers Construction is celebrating 17 years of business in 2016 has a Design + Build Center showroom located at 1510 NE 170th St, Shoreline 98155.


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Dunn Lumber supplies materials for Chermak Construction to build a ramp for disabled Edmonds man

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Volunteers from Chermak Construction build a ramp
for disabled Edmonds man. Materials supplied by Dunn Lumber

On Saturday, May 21st volunteers from Edmonds-based Chermak Construction, Inc. turned out to participate in Rampathon® 2016. This year marks the 23rd anniversary of this event sponsored by the Master Builders Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association. Rampathon brings together local construction companies and vendors to build wheelchair ramps for recipients in need.

Jon Elkins, Project Developer for Chermak Construction, Inc. rallied 16 of his fellow co-workers to work on this year's project. Elkins says, “It’s a great opportunity to bring our carpenters and office staff together. Nothing builds strong relationships more than working together to reach a goal.”
Chermak volunteers line up behind Richard Bell.
Richard can now get to his back yard to tend his garden

This year the team from Chermak built a ramp for someone Edmonds resident Richard Bell. Richard is 39 years old and became paralyzed when he fell off the roof of his rambler-style home. His feet slipped out from underneath him and he landed on his tailbone and was immediately paralyzed.

We built a 16 foot ramp off of his back deck that allows him to have access to his back yard to care for his gardens.
In spite of the rain, Richard spent the entire day watching the project and interacting with us. He was beyond delighted with the finished ramp.

Since 1993 the Master Builders Association has built more than 370 ramps in King and Snohomish Counties. Local volunteers from the home building and remodeling industry have taken time to create custom ramp designs and lay all the groundwork for each project. Because this is a one-day event, lots of pre-planning goes into each of the projects.

Special thanks to continued support from Dunn Lumber who supplied the materials for this project.


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Shoreline firm creates wheelchair ramp for North Seattle woman

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Ramp built by Irons Brothers Construction for
North Seattle resident Florence Greff
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, President of Irons Brothers Construction and his team designed and constructed a free wheelchair access ramp for Florence Greff of Seattle.

Florence, who turns 85 this year, is a retired Psychology professor and the first woman charter member of Rotary International's North Seattle district. She has fallen three times in the past year and was in physical and financial need of a ramp for her North Seattle Home.

Florence, who still maintains her membership in the Shoreline Rotary and is past department head of Psychology at Bellevue College, is in a wheelchair almost 100 percent of the time. She was recently released from Shoreline's Rehabilitation Center after falling and is attending rehab therapy 2-3 times per week.

Before the ramp, Florence's two sons were  helping her to crawl in and out of the house over a set of stairs to attend these appointments.

Before the ramp, there was a set of stairs
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction

Suffering from permanent back dysfunction and arthritis, Florence will benefit immensely from the new access ramp built at her home last Saturday as part of the Rampathon program.

With 5 kids, 28 grandkids, and 31 great grandchildren - all located in the state of Washington, she looks forward to being able to visit with them more often with a regained freedom and safer transport.

May 16, 2015, the Greff family, along with several other families throughout King and Snohomish Counties were the recipients of a free wheelchair ramp built as part of the Master Builders Association's Community Stewardship Rampathon Event.

Three teams of volunteers from Irons Brothers
worked on the Greff ramp
Photo courtesy Irons Brothers Construction

This year marks the 22nd year of Rampathon - providing over 350 wheel chair access ramps, totaling more than 1.7 million dollars of in-kind contributions since 1993. This year, Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, is participating in its 11th year of building its neighbors in need wheelchair access ramps.

Thanks to the Master Builders Association's Community Stewardship Department and the generous donors listed below, this ramp will be built at no cost to the recipient.

Special recognition to donors for the Florence Greff ramp:
  • Dunn Lumber for material donations
  • Irons Brothers Construction for volunteer labor and materials
More about Rampathon

Irons Brothers Construction is celebrating 16 years of business in 2015 and opened a Design + Build Center showroom located at 1510 NE 170th St., Shoreline, WA 98155 in 2014. Here they showcase universal design, aging in place remodeling and best construction practices. Company owners, Joseph and Melissa Irons, have their Certified Aging in Place Specialist designations (CAPS) thru the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and incorporate universal design principles into each project they undertake.



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Irons Brothers build ramp for Lynnwood quadriplegic

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Joshua Cady of Lynnwood
now has a safe ramp from home
to driveway
Ramp captain Joseph Irons, President of Irons Brothers Construction, and his team designed and constructed a free wheelchair access ramp for Joshua Cady of Lynnwood during the recent Care Foundation Rampathon.

Joshua, who recently turned 14, was born with a Congenital CMV virus which caused cerebral palsy, global development delay, COPD, and seizures. He must maintain a gastrostomy tube and a tracheostomy tube.

Before the ramp, the only access in and out of their home for his wheelchair was two steep temporary metal ramps. Joshua uses the ramps for transport to school, activities and doctor’s appointments. The new ramp gives the family regained freedom and safer transport.

Bernadette Roberts, Joshua’s physical therapist at Maplewood Center School in Edmonds, wrote in to the Rampathon committee this year requesting help for this family. Ms. Roberts strongly emphasized in the application that their current ramps are unsafe and difficult for a manual wheelchair to maneuver, especially as it requires caregivers to push him up the two temporary steep ramps.

On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Cady family along with other families throughout King and Snohomish Counties were the recipients of a free wheelchair ramp built as part of the Master Builders Care Foundation’s Rampathon Event.

Moveable metal ramps were the only way in and out of the house

The team started construction early Saturday morning with over one dozen volunteers, including Irons Brothers Construction staff, colleagues, friends and family. Irons Brothers Construction maintains the highest commitment to philanthropy and giving back to the local community. At the end of the day, the reward was to see Joshua safely wheeled down the two ramps in his wheelchair.

Since 1993, more than 320 ramps have been built by Master Builder Association members for neighbors in need. This year, builders and remodelers joined efforts to build free wheel chair ramps for those with a disability and financial need. Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, has participated in Rampathon for the past 10 years. Thanks to the Master Builders Care Foundation and the generous donors listed below, this ramp will be built at no cost to the recipient.

Special recognition to donors for the Joshua Cady ramp:
  • Dunn Lumber for materials
  • Foundations, Etc. for volunteer labor and materials
  • NorWest for concrete donation
  • Irons Brothers Construction for volunteer labor and materials.
To learn more about Rampathon and the MBCF visit the Rampathon website 

Irons Brothers Construction is celebrating 15 years of business in 2014 and have recently opened a Design + Build Center located at 1510 NE 170th St., Shoreline, WA 98155. 


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Shoreline family and volunteers kick-off Rampathon with ramp for Parkwood student

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Kira and Mimi Brown, Faye Rasmussen
The ramp was built by Crescent Builds
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Volunteers celebrate twenty-first year of service to disabled

On Wednesday May 14, 2014, nine-year-old Mimi Brown of Shoreline, a victim of athetoid dystonic cerebral palsy (ADCP) helped kick-off the Care Foundation’s 21th annual Rampathon, a single-day ramp building blitz. This year’s edition of Rampathon was presented by HomeStreet Bank.

ADCP significantly impacts Mimi’s ability to interact with others and her environment. It is difficult for her to communicate knowledge, needs and desires, and she is 100 percent dependent on others for mobility. Mimi uses a manual wheelchair and requires adult assistance at all times.

Despite these huge challenges, Mimi brightens the life of everyone she meets. She maintains a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. She loves school and reading funny stories.

From left, Kira and Mimi Brown, Jay Schupack
and teacher Faye Rasmussen
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The Brown family learned about Rampathon from Mimi’s special education teacher at Parkwood Elementary School, Faye Rasmussen. Mimi’s mother, Kira, was very enthusiastic about the possibility of a ramp saying, “Wow, it would be wonderful to have that kind of help!” 

A ramp dedication at the Brown home formally initiated this year’s ramp building blitz. The following Saturday, a total of 17 additional families received free wheelchair access ramps thanks to hundreds of Care Foundation volunteers. 

Jay Schupack, Executive Director of the Care Foundation and an 11 year Rampathon veteran, summed up the feeling of many volunteers, “Our efforts pay huge dividends when the recipient goes down a new ramp for the very first time. The feeling certainly stayed with me, and I believe it’s what keeps volunteers coming back year after year.”

This is the 21th consecutive year for Rampathon, and almost 400 free ramps have been built throughout the Puget Sound area.

The Care Foundation is a 501 C (3) charitable organization registered with Washington’s Secretary of State. Rampathon volunteers, donors and sponsors come from construction and trades associated with construction, as well as other charitable organizations.

Mimi's ramp was a multi day process by a local contractor, Crescent Builds, who lives in Mimi's neighborhood. Measurements were taken on Saturday and work begun on Monday with the ramp delivered in pieces on Tuesday and finally completed Wednesday afternoon.

Mimi will be a third grader at Parkwood Elementary in the fall.


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Irons Brothers to construct wheelchair ramps for Lynnwood family

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Rampathon Volunteers 2013
2013 Rampathon Volunteers
Team Irons Brothers Construction
For over ten years the staff and volunteers of Irons Brothers Construction have built free wheel-chair ramps as part of the Master Builders Care Foundation's Rampathon event. 

This year, on Saturday, May 17. company employees and volunteers will once again take on this effort and are planning to build a ramp for a family in Lynnwood. 

The family they have chosen needs a ramp for their son, Joshua, age 14, who is a complete quadriplegic with cerebral palsy. He uses a manual wheelchair and requires a nurse and/or caregiver at all times. 

His family is currently using removable metal temporary ramps at their front door step and step to the driveway. These are not very safe or user friendly and something permanent will be very helpful to them. 

Building a new ramp will allow this family to transport their son in and out of the home safely and regain the ease of getting outdoors.
We are looking forward to helping this family to better their lives and safety. 

To learn more about the Rampathon program, donate, volunteer, or complete an application for next year's program, click here.

View past rampathon photos and aging in place work, as well as information on Irons Brothers community involvement on their website


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Free wheelchair ramp gives Shoreline woman independence

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Irons Brothers volunteers building a ramp for Jan Lunak
Photo by Tom Redner
Jan Lunak’s Multiple Sclerosis will no longer prevent her from entering and leaving her home, thanks to the free wheelchair ramp that was built by volunteers from Irons Brothers Construction and Home Depot, as part of the Master Builders Care Foundation’s 19th Annual Rampathon event.

On Saturday, May 19, 2012, a team of over 20 volunteers from Irons Brothers Construction and the Home Depot Foundation came together to change a family's life and home.


New entry to Lunak home
Photo by Tom Redner
As part of the Master Builder's Care Foundation, one of 15 ramps was built in Shoreline for the Lunak family. Jan Lunak had been unable to leave her home without assistance from family or friends. Now, using her motorized scooter, she has regained mobility and can use the new wheel chair ramp to leave her home independently and enjoy the outdoors on her own.

Joseph Irons and his company have been building ramps for the Rampathon program since 2006 and continue to do so as their personal and company mission is to give back to the communities where they live and work.


Irons Brothers volunteers pose with Jan Lunak
Photo by Tom Redner
The recipient, Jan Lunak, beams with gratitude for the volunteers and her new ramp, "I am so humbled by all of this, it makes me realize there is goodness, everywhere."

Volunteers from the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties built 14 free wheelchair ramps for low-income disabled homeowners during the Rampathon event. Since 1993, teams from the Master uilders Association have constructed 320 wheelchair ramps.

From Joseph and Melissa Irons: 
"Thank you to the generous donors and volunteers who helped us make this year's ramp possible: The Master Builders Care Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation for its materials grant and volunteers from the Aurora Village and Bitterlake locations, Plywood Supply, Aurora Rents, Irons Brothers Construction, its employees, colleagues, and friends for volunteering, and Tom Redner for photography."

Learn more about the Master Builders Care Foundation and Rampathon.



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Shoreline woman to receive free wheelchair ramp

Saturday, May 12, 2012


Irons Brothers volunteers constructing a ramp at
a Shoreline home in 2010
Photo by Diane Hettrick
Volunteers from the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties will build 15 free wheelchair ramps for low-income disabled homeowners on May 19 as part of their 19th annual Rampathon event.  Since 1993, teams from the Master Builders Association have constructed 320 wheelchair ramps.

Ramp captain Joseph Irons, of Iron Brothers Construction, and his team will construct a free wheelchair access ramp for Jan Lunak of Shoreline, who has multiple sclerosis.

Art Castilleja, the 2012 Rampathon chair explains, “Builder captains will lead their teams in constructing access ramps giving recipients the ability to get in and out of their homes with greater ease and flexibility.  For many of them, it will be the first time in years they have not had to rely on family or friends just to get in and out of their homes.”  

According to Castilleja, each ramp represents a unique challenge for the team as they adapt design and construction to the existing landscape and the recipient’s needs.

The Master Builders Care Foundation is the philanthropic non-profit arm of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.    Founded in 1909, the Master Builders Association is a trade association comprised of nearly 3,000 companies involved in the residential and light commercial construction industry. It is the nation’s oldest and largest local home building association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders.



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An Edmonds amputee receives a free wheel chair ramp during annual Rampathon

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Irons Brothers volunteers by completed ramp
On Saturday, May 14, 2011, Irons Brothers Construction completed their construction of a wheel chair ramp for Arlene Shields at 8506 Madrona Lane in Edmonds, WA. This ramp was built as part of the annual Master Builders Care Foundation’s (MBCF) annual Rampathon event.

MBCF is the philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association (MBA) of King and Snohomish Counties and coordinates community events throughout the year. Since 1993, more than 300 ramps have been built by MBA builder captain members for neighbors in need. Despite the current economy, Irons Brothers Construction and 15 other builders and remodelers have joined efforts to build 16 free wheel chair ramps for those with a disability and financial need.

Joseph Irons, President of Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, WA, and his team of volunteers has participated in Rampathon for the past seven years. This year’s recipient, Ms. Shields, is disabled due to complications from heart disease. She is a wheel chair bound double amputee.  She was unable to afford ramp construction on her social security income.

On Thursday May 12, Joseph and his team started the demolition for the new wheel chair ramp. They concluded the construction on Saturday the 14. This included the wheel chair ramp, some minor landscaping, and a small bathroom modification.

To coordinate and build wheel chair ramps, the building captain must spent time to design and plan. This year 10 volunteers came together to build a ramp for Arlene to improve her freedom and accessibility. With this new ramp, she is hoping to qualify for a power chair to help her maneuver in and out of the house. While they were onsite, Irons Brothers Construction also modified a small bathroom for Ms. Shields. They removed a large sink vanity which now allows her access into and out of the room.

Joseph and the staff at Irons Brothers Construction take their philanthropic work very seriously. 

“There is nothing more rewarding than using our skills to improve the lives of others,” stated Joseph Irons. 
This year’s ramp was built from concrete and will be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and complement Ms. Shield’s home without even looking like a traditional wheel chair ramp.

"Thanks to the Master Builders Care Foundation and generous donors and volunteers this ramp was built at no cost to the recipient.  The donors who made this ramp construction possible were: The Home Depot Foundation, Irons Brothers Construction, Greenworks Concrete, Foundations, Etc. and Stanwood Readi-Mix."
Irons Brothers Construction, Donors, Volunteers and staff pictured include: Joseph Irons, Melissa Irons, Tod Werner, Arne Strand, Elizabeth Strand, Scarlet Haney, Rhett Irons, Ralph Siemering, Kitty Kelleigh, and Dan Otsman. Photos courtesy of: Irons Brothers Construction, Inc.

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Shoreline Remodeler builds a wheel chair ramp for a neighbor

Wednesday, May 19, 2010


By Melissa Irons

This past Saturday, May 15, 2010 marked the 17th anniversary of the Master Builders Care Foundation’s (MBCF) annual Rampathon event. MBCF is the philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association (MBA) of King and Snohomish Counties and coordinates several community events throughout the year. 

Photo: before the ramp
Since 1993, more than 300 ramps have been built by MBA builder captain members for neighbors in need and this year is no exception. Despite the economic situation, Irons Brothers Construction and several other builders and remodelers have joined efforts to continue to make this event possible.

Joseph Irons, the 2009 MBA Remodeler of the Year, and President of Irons Brothers Construction, based in Shoreline, WA built a wheelchair ramp for a fellow Shoreline resident. 

Joseph and his wife Melissa (pictured left, photo by DKH)  live in the Parkwood neighborhood and work in the North City neighborhood of Shoreline. Joseph and his team of volunteers have participated in Rampathon for the past 5 years. 

This year’s recipient, Ms. Bogen lives on 148th and Densmore Ave N which is within walking distance of the Irons home. This made the event even more special this year for his company and their family. Ms. Bogen is disabled and unable to the afford ramp construction. Her two sons care for her and assist with her activities of daily living as she battles hearing impairment and progressive illness confining her to a wheelchair.

Irons Brothers Construction Volunteers and staff pictured include: Joseph Irons, Melissa Irons, Scarlet Haney, Bruce Irons, Krystal Irons, Rhett Irons, Mark Stoddard, Ray Underwood, Lillard Beckwith, Chris Hensley, Delynda Leptich, Herco Ordana, Tony Puloka, Jose Arriaga, Valter Alfaro, and Ramon Mendoza.

On Saturday, Joseph and his team started their one day Rampathon construction project at 7:30 am and completed their ramp, including staining the wood after dusk at 9:00 pm. To coordinate and achieve the goal of one day construction, months of planning is required of the builder captain. This year 16 volunteers came together to help this family enjoy more freedom and accessibility. 

Joseph takes this philanthropic project very seriously and says, “Our ramps are built to last, usually outliving the home. We also want their ramp to blend in with the style of their home and the neighborhood. This is incorporated into our design plan.”

This year Rampathon builders constructed 18 wheelchair access ramps for disabled homeowners across King and Snohomish counties. This is all done at no cost to the recipients thanks to the generous volunteers and material suppliers who contribute countless hours and dollars to this great cause. 

Irons Brothers Construction would like to specifically thank the donors who made this year’s ramp construction possible: Home Depot, Dunn Lumber, Aurora Rents, Plywood Supply, and Three Guys Concrete.

To learn more about Rampathon and the MBCF visit Rampathon.  To learn more about builder captain Joseph Irons and Irons Brothers Construction visit their website.

Photos courtesy of: Irons Brothers Construction, Inc.




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