PORTER COUNTY | The local Rebuilding Together affiliates of Duneland, Valparaiso, Hebron and Portage are sponsoring "Ramp It Up, Porter County". This campaign will install up to 9 ramp systems during the morning hours of Oct. 17 with the help of volunteers from Rebuilding Together affiliates, Chesterton High School Interact Club and three sources of funding. Each installation can take from one to three and a half hours to install.

There are three main sources of funding for the project. Sears Holdings is offering a $25,000 Heroes at Home grant. Sears' Heroes at Home program provides support to service members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations, including Rebuilding Together. Porter County Aging and Community Services office is leading the in-take work obtaining the information needed from applicants. American Ramp Systems has offered a special reduced rate for the steel ramps. They are the source for the equipment and they also offer their design and installation expertise.

Homeowners eligible for ramp installation must meet special financial needs requirements, be a veteran of the armed services, the spouse, widow or dependent child of a veteran and live in the Valparaiso, Duneland, Portage or Hebron school systems. The newly installed ramp systems help to provide safe access to their homes.

One of the recipients, a young boy with a particularly aggressive form of Muscular Dystrophy will receive a ramp at his home. His stepdad was in the National Guard. The Special Needs, Special Kids Program (Disability Awareness) in Porter County is co-cponsoring this ramp install. A steel ramp will be installed at his home and leased to his stepdad and mom at no cost. Other recipients include a Korean War Veteran and his wife who have lived in the same Liberty Township home for 45 years. They both have motorized wheelchairs, but cannot afford a ramp at their home. The equipment may be moved around and reused for many years after its first use is no longer necessary.

For every dollar donated, at least four dollars in goods and services are provided. Local sponsors are needed to provide funding equivalent to 10 percent of the ramp system costs which range between $250 and $650 per system.Those interested in becoming a local partner or in volunteering to assemble the ramp systems can reach Rev. John Albers at Faith Memorial Lutheran church. Call (219) 462-7684.

--For The Times