Indianapolis—Indiana Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch announced on June 12th, 2017 that Thrive Alliance “Ramps to Freedom” volunteer team have been selected to receive the prestigious Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers Award.
The acknowledgment was presented during Indiana’s Golden Hoosiers Award program on June 23rd, 2017. The award was awarded for the first time and is considered one of the highest honors given by the State of Indiana. The Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers Award acknowledges inspirational Hoosiers that serve other Hoosiers in an exemplary manner, and dedicate their lives to bettering the community where they live.
The Ramps to Freedom program is a volunteer-based program that designs and builds wooden ADA code-compliant accessibility ramps that give children, adults, and seniors with physical limitations the freedom to safely enter and exit their homes. The installation of a ramp allows individuals to live more independently in their own homes and can prevent injury due to accidents and falls, thereby helping individuals maintain a higher quality of life for a longer period of time.
These Thrive Alliance Ramps to Freedom volunteers enjoy the opportunity to work outside, see a good, well-designed project completed and the chance to provide real, tangible assistance to local residents of Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson and Jennings Counties. The Ramps to Freedom volunteers have constructed over 75 ramps since its inception in 2012.
The ramps typically cost between $800 and $1,500 for the purchase of wood and construction materials. Financial assistance is offered for the purchase of materials based on the family’s financial need and availability of donated funds. Sue Lamborn, Outreach and Community Relations Manager states, “The monetary donations received to build ramps is paramount to the success of this program.”