For the Reporter

Volunteers from the Master Builders Care Foundation have made it easier for Maureen Gladstone to get around her Kent home.

Workers built a new accessible ramp for Gladstone, part of the 20th annual Rampathon on May 18, the foundation’s one-day all-volunteer effort. Crews built ramps in King and Snohomish counties for low-income homeowners who, due to a disability or disease, have trouble getting in and out of their homes.

The Gladstones were one of 15 families who received free ramps this year, thanks to hundreds of volunteers from the home-building industry.

For Gladstone, the new ramp is a blessing.

Gladstone’s daughter was diagnosed with polio at 9 months old. She made many sacrifices to give her daughter a good life. And now, with Gladstone beginning to have health issues, the daughter is able to help her mom with easier access to her home.

Dave Weitzel, of Weitzel Construction Inc., Seattle, was the builder captain for the project, located at 30624 148th SE, Kent.

According to Rampathon chair Art Castilleja, each ramp represented a unique challenge for teams as they designed and constructed the walkways to the existing landscape and the recipient’s needs.

“Our efforts pay huge dividends when the recipient uses his or her new ramp for the first time,” Castilleja said. “It is truly life-changing – both for them and for the volunteers. It’s that wonderful feeling that keeps our volunteers coming back year after year.”Craig Krueger, president of the Master Builders Care Foundation, wanted to especially thank HomeStreet Bank, presenting sponsor of the Rampathon’s 20th anniversary.

Since its inception, the Rampathon event has built more than 350 free ramps throughout King and Snohomish counties.