Rotary Club seeking community’s help in ramp project

OLD TOWN, Maine — The Old Town Rotary Club is asking the community’s help with raising funds to buy home ramps and other aids to help people who are handicapped or otherwise in need.

For the past seven years, the club has moved about five ramps between different homes that need them. “When a community member needs a ramp, we bring it to them and install it. When they no longer need the ramp, we go uninstall it and then move it to the next home in need,” Club President Keri Denis said. 

Earlier this year, the club decided to start acquiring and donating other handicap items like wheelchairs, walkers, canes, lifts and more for community members to keep. When the club announced their projects on Facebook, it discovered there was a huge community need for assistance. 

“We now have a waiting list for ramps — which is growing quite long and we have turned over many handicap items,” Denis said. 

Now, the club is raising funds to purchase ramp materials to make more for the community. So far, the group has raised $3,300. Juniper Ridge Landfill — which is operated by Casella Waste Systems — has agreed to match up to $5,000 of the club’s own fundraising. 

Denis said the club needs $1,700 to meet its fundraising goal by the end of the year. In addition to monetary donations, the club is also accepting donations of ramps or other aids for people who are handicapped. 

People can make out checks to the Rotary Club of Old Town, P.O. Box 476, Old Town, Maine 04468. Those who wish to donate or need a ramp or handicap item should contact Linda Bryant at 207-852-4487. 

The Rotary Club of Old Town is seeking the community’s help in raising funds to buy ramps and other items to help people who are handicapped or in need. (Courtesy of Keri Denis).