Messiah crew builds ramps

The Messiah Wheelchair Ramp Construction Team recently built this structure in Huntsville. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – Carpentry skills and willing hearts of volunteers from Messiah Lutheran Church are helping people who are homebound and wheelchair-bound.

This ongoing ministry at Messiah works in partnership with CASA (Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound) of Madison County to build fully functional and safe ramps for individuals in need, Messiah communications coordinator Meredith Kilby said.

The Messiah Wheelchair Ramp Construction Team gathered at a home in Huntsville on Nov. 14 to construct a ramp. The resident’s existing ramp “was not safe. With his ongoing health challenges, his family was unable to get him into and out of his home,” Kilby said.

This outreach project conducted by Messiah members “certainly is one that is making a difference for the seniors who receive the ramps,” Kilby said. “The team does about a half dozen every year.”

Construction of the ramp in Huntsville required about four hours of onsite work, excluding pre-assembly of some components at the CASA facility.

Located in Huntsville, CASA is a non-profit agency that provides services to individuals who are at least 60 years old and to homebound people. Since 1979, CASA has worked to assist aging and homebound people to remain at home and age in place with independence, dignity, health and safety.

Messiah Lutheran’s staff includes Rev. Scott Person as pastor, office managers Devonee Woods and Meredith Kilby, director of music ministries Lois Graff and director of outreach ministries Claire Strand.

Messiah Lutheran Church’s address is 7740 U.S. 72 W. in Madison. Volunteers are welcome to join the ramp construction team.

For more information, call Messiah Lutheran Church’s office at 256-721-0041, email to office@mlutheran.org or visit mlutheran.org.