A lady in our community has been in the hospital and rehab for an extended period.  Almost two weeks ago, she was released by her doctor, but because she was did not have a ramp to get into her home, she had to stay at the rehab facility.

On Saturday, December 17, 2011, twelve adults and four children worked together to build a 39 foot ramp, allowing her to go back home.

To learn more about the Texas Ramp Project in the Wichita Falls area, contact Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229).

See more pictures from this build below!

It was a combined effort of FUMC Wichita Falls, FUMC Archer City, and Air Force personnel.  First, a ramp that was too short, too steep, and too rotten had to be removed.  In it’s place a new, sturdy ramp of 31 feet was built in just under 3 hours.

Initially, we thought we’d only have 6 volunteers, but as you can see in the picture, that number grew unexpectedly.  Now that is a great problem to have!

If you are interested in taking part in building ramps with the Texas Ramp Project in the Wichita Falls area, contact Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231).

On Sunday, July 17, 2011, our church member, Alan Ballard, shared his experience with the Texas Ramp Project.  We hope you’ll consider participating in this project with us!

It was HOT – plain and simple.  According to Sheppard AFB, it reached 109 that day – July 9, 2011.  It would have been easy to quit mid-stream (and maybe we should have), but we wanted to make sure this individual could easily make it in and out of his house.

So, after 5 1/2 LONG hours, we completed a 28 foot ramp.  Special thanks go to all who helped make this event a success:  Tim Travis, Alberto Iracheta, Cory Press, Jake Truette, Alan Ballard, Brandon Vaughn, Troy Sims, and Dean Libby (pastor of University United Methodist).

On top of the build, two ramps were painted – a total of 31 feet in only about 2 hours!  Special thanks go to our painters:  Jammie Wilbanks, Tim Kramer, Tammy Sparks, Sandra Sims, Breanne Press, and Gary Southard (also from University UMC).

Five workers.  18 foot ramp needed.  Three hours – DONE!

Four painters.  2 ramps (45 feet in length) needed paint.  Two hours – DONE!

Many thanks to the build team:  Branden Felker, Jim Whitmer, Tim Travis, Alan Ballard, and Troy Sims for providing mobility for a wheelchair bound lady in our community!

Many thanks to the paint team:  Kevin & DeEdra Folmar and their boys Maverick and Garrett.

The weather was nice and so were the volunteers as they worked together to improve the mobility and lives of people in our community.  One team built a 29 foot ramp (shown in the picture).  Another team painted two ramps – a total of 49 feet – helping to protect the ramps from the weather so they will provide many years of assistance.

It was great to have a couple from the Kiwanis Club join the paint team; on top of that, it was great to have a couple from Sheppard AFB join the build team!

The tentative date for the next ramp build is Saturday, May 28.  Contact Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 766-4231) to take part!

Check out the pictures of the completed ramp build:

A few weeks ago, Rev. Marc Corazao (Associate Pastor at FUMC Commerce and Campus Minister of the Wesleyan Campus Ministry at Texas A&M Commerce) called Rev. Troy Sims.  He was looking for a missions opportunity for members of his campus ministry to serve during Spring Break.  Not wanting to miss an opportunity for more people to learn about the Texas Ramp Project ministry, Rev. Sims jumped at the chance to let them come and serve.

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, six college students came with Rev. Corazao to work with Kevin & DeEdra Folmar, Rev. Sims, and Tim Travis to build a 36 foot ramp in Burkburnett.  They were on the work site by 8:45am and were completed by 12:15 pm!  It was a great experience for all involved!

Click the strip below to see more pictures from this mission project!

The youth had been fasting since midnight, and they still had 23 more hours to fast when they gathered at 8:00am on February 26, 2011 to work for the Texas Ramp Project as a mission project.  The tasks:

• Build two 20 ft. wheel chair ramps;
• Paint three wheel chair ramps.

By 1:30pm, all five projects had been completed by 32 youth (grades 7-12, from FUMC and Floral Heights UMC) and only 11 adults!  GOOD JOB!

L-R: Jeffrey, Keeley, Drake, Delaney, Faith, Alex; Not Shown: Gant & Courtney Grimes, Ethan Rouse, Troy Sims, Tim Travis

L-R: Delaney, Keeley, Andrew, Alex, Chelsea, Faith, Jordan, Drake, Collin, Ross, Millicent, Ashley, Breanne, Not Known, Not Known; Not Shown: Jeff Ginn, John Laine

L-R: Lauren, Star, Hope, Robby; Not Shown: Terrace Althouse

Great Job Youth!

If anybody has pics of the painting projects,
send them to Rev. Troy Sims!  THANKS!

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The Texas Ramp Project will be one of 4 recipients of the 3rd Annual Battle of the Bowls Chili, Stew, and Dessert Cook-Off on February 27, 2011.  Here is some information about this worthwhile organization that you may not know (and to learn more, visit texasramps.wordpress.com).

The Texas Ramp Project builds free wheelchair ramps for people who cannot afford them by working with local agencies, social-services organizations, and hospitals to identify clients who need a ramp.

Volunteers from across the state (and here in Wichita Falls) say it’s some of the most satisfying work they have ever done – liberating people imprisoned in their homes, unable to get out because of the steps that most take for granted.

No special tools or skills are required — just your time and good will. Come build with us on the 4th Saturday of the month! AND, in addition to the building of ramps, volunteers are needed in activities such as administration, marketing, information technology, grant writing, etc.

Contact Rev. Troy Sims (tsims@fumcwf.org or 940-766-4231, x229) for more information.

To learn more about the cook-off
or to enter a recipe
CLICK HERE

Twenty people joined together on January 22, 2011 to build 72 feet of wheel chair ramps for people in our community!  Thirteen of these volunteers were from the new Aldersgate Sunday School Class!  Other Sunday School Classes represented were The Journey, Genesis, and Open Door!  Check out the pictures below!

Will Barksdale (The Journey), Brandon Vaughn (The Journey), Dustin Hays
Not shown: Emily Hays

Mike Rose, Amber Schacter, Ashley Tate (7th Grade), Jammie Wilbanks, Susan Tate, Brittany Tate (4th Grade), Brian Coons, Jake Truette, Cindy Carss (Genesis)
Not shown:  Gary Schultz, Troy Sims

Alan Ballard (Open Door), Patricia Stroderd, Tim Kramer
Not shown: Kevin & DeEdra Folmar