Volunteers from our partner Reliant Energy braved the cold temperatures of February in a day of service in honor of Black History Month to build a wheelchair ramp for 90-year-old Robert Reed, a U.S. Army Veteran.
We’re grateful for support from Reliant Energy and their employee volunteers. This February, during Black History Month, they asked for a project that would help an African American homeowner age safely at home.
Rebuilding Together connected them with Robert Reed, age 90 and a U.S. Army Veteran, who often uses a walker or a wheelchair and has difficulty leaving and entering his Sunnyside home.
He has lived in this house for 50 years, though it was built even earlier, in 1950. Reliant volunteers got to work building a ramp so Mr. Reed could safely enter and exit his home. “It means a whole lot to me,” Mr. Reed told a reporter.
Last year he applied for assistance from Rebuilding Together, which replaced his roof and flooring, stabilized the house, repaired electrical systems, and replaced rotting wood inside and outside. They also made the home safer by installing grab bars. All of this work was completed by licensed contractors at no cost to Mr. Reed.
The wheelchair ramp will improve safety and mobility for Mr. Reed, who will be able to safely age in place and eventually pass the home to a new generation. This is just one of 40 ramps Rebuilding Together is planning to build this year in honor of its 40th anniversary.
Reliant has partnered with Rebuilding Together for more than two decades, providing volunteers, financial support and Board members. Since 2002, Reliant volunteers have completed 84 home repairs. Beat the Heat, a collaboration between Reliant and Rebuilding Together, provided energy efficient AC/heater window units to 50 families in 2021.
