Annual Ramp It Up fundraiser brings access to those who need it

Date: 4/28/2009

By Laura Christiansen

Staff Intern



HOLYOKE -- Stavros is hosting a fundraising event to benefit the Home Sweet Home program at 7 p.m. on May 7. The event will take place in the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College (HCC).

Stavros is a non-profit organization that helps to improve the lives of those with disabilities that live in the local community.

"We have a program called Home Sweet Home. People donate wheelchairs, walkers and sometimes ramps. We give [these items] to people that can't afford them until they are able to afford them. [The program] also builds ramps for free for those that can't afford it," Angelina Ramirez, development supervisor at Stavros, said.

The proceeds from the event will help construct ramps for those that cannot afford them.

"Most of the people with disabilities live with a low income. Many of times, they can't afford to build a ramp, which is a basic necessity for someone in a wheel chair," Ramirez said. "Last year, thanks to the support of this event, we were able to build 69 ramps and we're hoping to make it to 70 this year."

The fundraiser will be a building contest; the challenge is being kept a secret until the event. The Unity Club at HCC participated in the event last year.

"I've gotten the information [about the competition] and have passed it on to our student activities office. We are trying to get another club to represent HCC at the competition [this year]," Dorothy Blair, the co-adviser to Unity Club, said.

There will be seven corporate-sponsored teams that will be building the mystery structure. Last year, the competitors built "a bridge to independence."

"[A bridge to independence] is about providing freedom to people who are otherwise restricted. It encourages and embraces independence," Blair said.

The teams are provided with a variety of supplies.

"Not everything people will give us is usable so we dismount it and break it into pieces and give it to the people that [compete in] Ramp It Up. We take parts of wheel chairs, walkers and crutches. We also put in extra stuff like pool noodles and an assortment of wheels," Ramirez said.

Tickets cost $35. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Ramirez at 1-800-804-1899, ext 315.