Newsletter

Volume 7, Issue 4

April 2025

Message from Mark Denzin

Texas Ramp Project Executive Director

April marked National Volunteer Month, and the Texas Ramp Project was proud to be represented at a variety of company and community events across the state. These moments weren’t just about showcasing our mission—they were powerful reminders of what happens when we step up, connect, and contribute together.

Being active in company and community events strengthens the bond between our organization and the people we serve. It fosters awareness, builds lasting partnerships, and invites new hands and hearts to join our mission of building ramps - restoring freedom for those in need.

Mark Denzin and Julie Gunter at State Farm Community Engagement Fair

A huge thank-you goes to our dedicated volunteers (some of whom are pictured) who gave their time, energy, and passion this month. Your presence made a difference, not only in the lives of our clients, but in the eyes of potential partners, donors, and new volunteers inspired by your service.

We’re also grateful to the businesses, schools, and community groups that opened their doors and hearts to the Texas Ramp Project. These partnerships are the foundation of lasting impact.

Let’s keep the momentum going. Every event is a chance to tell our story, grow our mission, and welcome more people into this meaningful work. Together, we build more than ramps - we build community.

Thank you for showing up, speaking out, and stepping in.

Warm regards,

Mark

Scenes from D/FW Employee Volunteer Fairs

Employees of four metroplex companies got a chance to visit with TRP representatives at five different nonprofit fairs in the past six weeks. The companies included Alcon, PennyMac (two locations), State Farm and Hilti. Employee fairs are excellent sources of new recruits.

(L-R) Julie Gunter and Kay Champagne at State Farm Community Engagement Fair in Plano,

(L-R) Bill Talman, Bill Atkins an Hank Billman at Hiliti Social Impact Fair in Irving.

(L-R) Julie Gunter and Elena Celestine at PennyMac Partner Agency Fair in Fort Worth.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the volunteers who supported the Texas Ramp Project during the 2025 East Texas Giving Day campaign! With your energy and commitment, we not only surpassed our 2024 fundraising total, but also strengthened our visibility and connection within the East Texas community.

Out of 363 participating organizations, Texas Ramp Project ranked 107th overall in total funds raised - a significant achievement and testament to the power of grassroots support. A special congratulations to Mary Hearron, Texarkana West Region, who placed 4th among 160 individual fundraisers. Her outstanding efforts helped drive donations and awareness for our mission.

Our participation also brought valuable exposure through a featured interview on KETK, which helped share the story of TRP’s impact with a wider audience. This media spotlight and our alignment with other local nonprofits reinforced our role as a trusted and collaborative partner in the community.

Thanks to your support. More people now know what the Texas Ramp Project stands for. More lives will be changed through the freedom and safety that ramps provide.

Thank you for being the heart of this mission.

Volunteer of the Month: George Tenberge,

Texarkana West, Hopkins County

TRP’s presence in Hopkins County was minimal until 2022, when the Sulphur Springs Kiwanis Club joined up with TRP to build ramps. One of the keys to this partnership was George Tenberge, who manages ramp construction in Hopkins County. Since 2022 construction in the county has increased from just four in 2021 to 16 in 2023 and 12 in 2024. This year George estimates TRP will build 15 to 18 ramps in the county.

George has lived in Texas since 1982, when he moved to start a dairy, and in Sulphur Springs since 1985. Since 2000 he has been employed as an insurance agent for Texas Farm Bureau. He first volunteered to build ramps with Paris Kiwanis, but in September 2022 he moved to Hopkins County Kiwanis.

George has always enjoyed helping others and loves to do anything outdoors. TRP was a perfect fit. He works closely with his co-team leader, David Froneburger, who is the county’s ramp designer. “One of our challenges,” George says, “is trying to build a ramp that fits the house plus the needs of the family. Another is coordinating the team.”

He says he likes seeing the faces of the people who need the ramps, and he also enjoys the camaraderie with others wanting to help.

George and his wife, Lisa, have been married for 37 years and have two daughters and four grandchildren. Their grandson, Coleson, loves to help with building the ramps. George attends the League Street Church of Christ in Sulphur Springs and is active there. He enjoys gardening, he says, “but mainly I enjoy my grandkids!”

Hopkins, Van Zandt and Counties Come Together for an Emergency Ramp.

Prom night is supposed to be a magical event. Unfortunately for 17-year-old Wade Batchelor of Yantis, it did not end happily. A tree branch fell on him, resulting in paralysis and a future in a wheelchair. In a single evening Wade's life was forever altered.

The referral source at UT Health Tyler recognized that Wade would need a ramp to access his home when he was discharged from rehab. Initially, there was some confusion because the town of Yantis sits in two counties: Hopkins and Wood. Initially the referral went to the East Texas Emory region, but the family assured us they live in Hopkins County.

Once the correct county was determined, Hopkins County lead George Tenberge moved Wade's ramp up on the schedule on an emergency basis. On April 18, George and eight volunteers from the Hopkins County Kiwanis Club and Church of Christ three volunteers from Van Zandt County, including Vanessa Baker and Barry Ferrill, built a 41-foot ramp for Wade and his mother. They have all given the gift of freedom to a young man who didn't make it to prom.

San Antonio Junior Forum Presents Grant Award

April 2 marked a presentation ceremony by San Antonio Junior Forum grants committee of an $8,750 award for ramp construction in San Antonio. The presentation took place at the San Antonio Central warehouse with teams building modules and loading trailers. Pictured are (left to right) Jim Woody, John Bolte, Nancy Kenny, Steve Swanson, Josie Rivera, Sharon Smith, Elizabeth Fox, Bernie Coy and Stan Gross.

SAJF is a leading volunteer women’s organization that provides the San Antonio area with a variety of civic, educational and philanthropic community services. In its 65 years it has provided volunteer services and over $1.7 million in scholarships and grants to local nonprofits. TRP was one of 13 local nonprofits to be awarded a grant this year.

TRP Now Accepts Stock Donations

We are thrilled to announce that the Texas Ramp Project is now accepting stock donations via the Donorbox giving platform on our website, using the DONATE button. This gives donors an easy way to contribute and allows them to make a huge impact without affecting their cash flows. These generous contributions will help TRP continue to provide life-changing wheelchair ramps to our underserved neighbors.

Donating stocks to nonprofits is growing exponentially year-over-year and is a popular option for donors. Many donors have donor-advised funds (DAFs) that allow them to donate stock to nonprofits directly from their accounts. For people who do not have a DAF but have stocks at a brokerage company like Schwab, Ameritrade, E-Trade, Morgan Stanley, Fidelity, etc., they can now give stock shares via an easy, simple process on our website.

Giving is simple. Once you choose Donate from our website, you will select the option to donate "Crypto or Stocks." Next select STOCKS, complete information regarding the shares you want to donate, and the fair market value will be displayed. (The minimum donation for stocks is $500.)

Next complete the information regarding where the stocks are held, including the brokerage company’s name, account number and contact information. Hit enter, and that's it. The stock will be transferred out of your account to our Donorbox partners, who will send the proceeds to TRP in 7 to 14 days.

There is no cost to the donor for this transaction, and the donor will not pay capital gains on the stock sale. There may be additional tax advantages and deductions.

To learn more about how to donate stocks, visit www.texasramps.org or contact us at info@texasramps.org.

Recent Grants and Donations

TRP received two $30,000 grants in April, courtesy of H-E-B and Installed Building Products Foundation. Both grants will serve multiple areas—those in which the two companies have stores and/or offices. Thanks to Kelli Gieniec of H-E-B Public Affairs and Kelly Clifford Riehl of the IBP Foundation for assisting with these generous awards.

Grants and donations (excluding individuals and government reimbursements) received in the past month include the following:

$30,000 for statewide use from H-E-B.
$30,000 for statewide use from IBP Foundation.
$25,000 for Amarillo from Mary E. Bivins Foundation.
$8,750 for San Antonio Central from San Antonio Junior Forum.
$4,500 for Austin North from Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation.
$4,000 for Austin West from Vietnam Veterans of America.
$3,000 for San Antonio Central from Oak Hills Church.
$2,175 for Waco South from Waco Habitat for Humanity.
$2,000 for statewide use from Army Residence Community Protestant Chapel.
$1,775 for East Texas Jacksonville from Henderson Rotary Endowment.
$1,500 for San Angelo from Eldorado Game Association.
$1,042 for Amarillo from Amarillo Habitat for Humanity.
$804 for Dallas from Grand Prairie Rotary Club Services Projects.
$750 for San Antonio South from San Miguel Electric Cooperative.
$750 for San Antonio Northeast from Seguin Sunrise Lions club.
$720 for Dallas from Community Council of Greater Dallas.
$500 for Austin West from St. James Episcopal Church La Grange.
$450 for Austin West from Hill Country Fellowship.
$417 for Austin West from The Church at Horseshoe Bay.
$250 for Austin West from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church La Grange.
$200 for San Antonio Northeast from Canyon Lake UMC.
$100 for East Texas Tyler from Langen/Wink Bible Class.

San Antonio Fire Department Turns Out

In April the San Antonio Fire Department helped build a 26-foot access ramp for one of their own referrals. The client, Ms. Sherry W., 63, is battling cancer and is being transported by SAFD EMS six times each week. The new ramp will make it much easier for both Sherry and EMS to get in and out of the house. Team leader Steve Swanson, fire department employees, and members of the Williams family joined in for the April 19 build.

Ramp of the Month, Randall County

Amarillo Region

Young Zacchaeus O., 5, has cerebral palsy, which requires him to use a wheelchair. This child’s mobile home in Randall County had four steep steps, which were very difficult for his caregivers to navigate. The situation would only get worse as Zacchaeus grows. Seven WTAMU AmeriCorps members and Downtown Lions volunteers donated 25 hours of labor to build Zacchaeus’s 48-foot ramp. The referral for this ramp came from Superior Healthplan. This ramp demonstrates how a ramp benefits the whole family. They now have a safe and accessible way to help their son as he grows up.

You are encouraged to use the TRP Media Consent, Waiver and Release form for your builds. To access the form, click here.

We hope you enjoy having the newsletter sent to you directly, as it is filled with useful information, building hints and tips, data collection updates and processes, client stories, special announcements and recognitions.

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