Newsletter

Volume 7, Issue 8

August 2025

Message from Mark Denzin

Texas Ramp Project Executive Director

40^th Anniversary Builds Planned Across Texas

This year we mark a milestone worth celebrating: 40 years of service and more than 30,000 ramps built across Texas. That’s 30,000 families who now have safe access to their homes because of the work you and others like you have made possible. Our mission has always been rooted in community, and this anniversary is a chance to both honor our history and strengthen the foundation for the decades to come.



In October, we will hold 40th Anniversary Builds across Texas. These ramp builds will be highly visible opportunities to showcase our mission, highlight our incredible volunteers, and engage new community partners. But to truly make this celebration meaningful, we need your help.

Here’s how you can support our mission in the months ahead:

• Connect Us to Others. Do you know businesses, churches, civic groups, or local leaders who would be interested in partnering with us? Please introduce them to our mission. Personal connections are the most powerful way to expand our network.
• Spread the Word. Share our anniversary news in your community, whether through local newspapers, church bulletins, newsletters, or social media. Every mention helps build momentum.
• Invite Participation. Encourage others to join us at one of the Anniversary Builds. A day spent building ramps is one of the most impactful ways someone can experience our mission firsthand.
• Celebrate Together. This is not just about 40 years of history. It’s about the future. The families still waiting for ramps remind us why our work matters so deeply.

We have an extraordinary opportunity this fall to create a groundswell of recognition for our mission and to unite Texans across communities in celebrating what we’ve accomplished together. Let’s use this anniversary to strengthen our base of support and ensure we can continue to serve families for the next 40 years.

Thank you for your commitment, your leadership, and your belief in what we do. I am proud to serve alongside you.

With gratitude,

Mark

TRP Readies 40^th Anniversary Blitz Builds

In celebration of the Texas Ramp Project’s 40^th anniversary of bringing freedom to people who are homebound, we are planning a statewide ramp build/media blitz. Every region is asked to build at least one—and as many more as possible—40^th Anniversary ramp and reach out to their local media as well. We have a great cause to celebrate, and we would like the world to know!

Regions and individual counties will have two months to build these special ramps. We ask field leaders to identify and schedule those ramps now so they will be ready to go. Builds will occur between October 1 and November 30, taking advantage of Texas’ glorious fall weather. What better way is there to celebrate the success of the past 40 years and the delivery of more than 30,000 ramps to Texans in need of safe access?

Central support will launch the statewide media blitz with an email to newspapers, TV stations and other media on September 15. The email will contain a press kit, statewide press release and other information about the Texas Ramp Project. Calls from statewide media will be directed to the region they cover.

At the same time, region coordinators and team leaders will receive instructions and a press release template they can tailor for their local media. A media consent form will also be included for any clients who are photographed. We hope many outlets will be interested in covering an Anniversary Build, as the publicity helps gain local support and new volunteers. Feel free to use the Fact Sheet and other information from the press kit in your own media plan.

TRP Online Store to Open for Business

The Texas Ramp Project will finally have an online store, which will make it a breeze for coordinators and volunteers to order logo apparel, brochures, and other merchandise. TRP has contracted with AlphaGraphics in Dallas to manage the new online store.

The online store will be available to regional coordinators starting Monday, September 1. At that time they may order as many shirts as they need for their anniversary builds. Region coordinators will receive specific instructions on how to place orders for the 40^th Anniversary shirts. There will be a two week window for the Region coordinators to order the 40^th Anniversary shirts.

Please note: For the first few months merchandise will be limited to TRP’s specially designed 40^th Anniversary shirts—red with white lettering and the new TRP logo along with the updated TRP brochure. Starting November 1, the online store will offer shirts, caps and other apparel.

‘Building Basics’ Earns Copyright

Building Basics, which documents construction guidelines and procedures for building safe, sturdy ramps for TRP clients, has been officially copyrighted by the U.S. Copyright Office. Roy Harrington is listed as the author, and the Texas Ramp Project is listed as holding full rights and permissions.

Roy has put years of hard work and effort into the creation and management of Building Basics. He is now a copyrighted author, yet another addition to his long list of accomplishments. He is also the region coordinator for TRP’s highly successful Bryan/College Station region and a TRP board member. Congratulations, Roy, and many thanks for providing this valuable guidance for your colleagues in the field.

Click on link for Building Basics

Residential Ramps Only!

By Roy Harrington



The Texas Ramp Project builds residential handicap ramps—and only residential handicap ramps. This statement may seem obvious, but it is important to note this specifically excludes ramps that will be used by the public at any business.



It is not uncommon for nonprofits such as churches, elderly support agencies, etc., to have a need for a ramp. Sometimes they ask a local TRP representative to build them a ramp. Like it or not, ramps for public use to access a business (or any other for-profit or nonprofit entity) have different design requirements and may have certain permitting rules. Building a public-use ramp is not covered by TRP insurance or grant funding. In addition, the TRP design and build guidelines are specific to ramps built for a family residence.



Bottom line: While it may be tempting and feel like the “right thing to do” to help another nonprofit with a ramp, this cannot be done as a representative of TRP or with the use of TRP funds.

Unsung Hero: Larry Oberg

We all know how much Marge Oberg contributes to the Texas Ramp Project by managing our credit card purchases audit process. What many do not know is that behind the scenes is an unsung partner. Marge has experienced some health challenges of late and has at times been unable to perform her duties. Each time, her husband, Larry, has stepped in to ensure auditing and reporting are completed accurately and on time.

The good news is that Marge is doing well now, but Larry continues to assist as needed. His willingness to step in is a testament to his shared commitment to serving others. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Larry for continuing the work Marge cares about so deeply. It reflects the strength of their 48 years of marriage and partnership and the value they both place on making a difference.

Tom Nuchols has a long history of serving others. Way back in 1993, he helped build the first Habitat for Humanity home in Mount Pleasant, Texas. He served on the Habitat board as it completed 30 homes and watched it evolve into providing ramps and repairing homes.

Then in 2010, executive director John Laine came to Tennison Memorial UMC to recruit a team and open up Titus County. Tom was part of the first two builds and so is a founding member of the Titus County project. Eight years later he took on the leadership role.

“Over the years the ramp project became a community build with over 30 wonderful volunteers serving at one time or another,” Tom says. People join the crew as others need to drop out due to health conditions or family obligations, but always enough turn out to complete a ramp build.

Recently Tom teamed up with Jerry and Mary Hearron, with Jerry accompanying Tom on site surveys and prebuilding modules. The two men have become the “Tom and Jerry” team. Mary keeps the books and assists with construction. Last year the group built 40 ramps.

Clearly Tom loves what he does. “One gentleman had not been able to get out of his house on his own in over two years,” Tom says. “Another man, injured in a farm accident, had not been able to return to his home from the hospital for three months while waiting on the building of a ramp.”

Tom is a South Texas native. He graduated from Texas A&I College in Kingsville and went to work for the Texas Department of Agriculture. He moved to Mount Pleasant in 1984 and retired in 1993. He and his wife, Galand, have two adult children and a 14-year-old granddaughter.

Tom belongs to Gideons International and is involved in jail ministry. He works out and bikes up to 15 miles per day. Hobbies include faceting gemstones and cutting cabochons, which are rounded rather than faceted stones.

Texoma Gives to Benefit Wichita Falls

The Texas Ramp Project is excited to be participating in the Texoma Gives campaign again this year. This important community effort brings together local organizations, businesses, and individuals to highlight causes that make a real difference in the lives of neighbors in the Wichita Falls region. It will be held on Thursday, September 4, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For TRP, being part of Texoma Gives is about more than raising funds. It’s about reinforcing our commitment to the communities we serve. Every ramp we build is a story of independence restored and dignity protected. Community campaigns like Texoma Gives provide an opportunity to share our stories, connect with new supporters, and invite others to get involved in helping their neighbors live safely at home.

Equally important, our involvement reminds us that local engagement matters. As an organization built on partnerships, volunteers, and grassroots support, TRP thrives when we show up for campaigns and events in the communities where we serve. These opportunities strengthen our visibility, deepen relationships, and ensure that those who need our services know how to reach us.



Texoma Gives is sponsored by the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation. The website for donations is texomagives.org.

Recent Grants and Donations

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

• $20,000 for Victoria South from M.G. & Lillie A. Johnson Foundation.
• $15,000 for San Antonio Northeast Comal County from LoveX Foundation.
• $15,000 for San Angelo from Mary Ellen Bunyard Family Foundation.
• $10,511 for Dallas and Statewide from King of Glory Lutheran Church.
• $10,000 for Abilene from anonymous foundations.
• $10,000 for Cooke and Denton counties from CoServ Charitable Foundation.
• $10,000 for Amarillo from CNS Pantex Community Investment Fund.
• $5,000 for San Antonio Central from Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation.
• $4,000 for NCT North from United Way of Wise County.
• $3,687 for Waco South from Waco Habitat for Humanity.
• $3,000 for NCT South Ellis County from Waxahachie Rotary Club.
• $2,540 for Dallas from Community Council of Greater Dallas.
• $2,500 for East Texas Marshall from First Methodist Church.
• $1,500 for Austin Central from Rotary Club of Austin.
• $1,500 for Temple/Belton from Altrusa International Club of Temple.
• $1,420 for Austin Central from Elgin Methodist Church.
• $1,000 for Austin East from The Rudolph Family Foundation.
• $1,000 for East Texas Emory from Helping Because We Care.
• $929 for NCT East Hunt County from Golden K Kiwanis Club.
• $760 for East Texas Van Zandt from Hochheim Prairie Farm Mutual Insurance Association.
• $750 for San Antonio Northeast from St. John’s Episcopal Church.
• $604 for Bryan/College Station from United Way of the Brazos Valley.
• $500 for East Texas Jacksonville from Woodman Life Texas Chapter 303.
• $450 for Austin West from Hill Country Fellowship.
• $417 for Austin West from The Church at Horseshoe Bay.
• $379 from Shiner Rotary Club for Austin Central.
• $266 for East Texas Jacksonville from St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Henderson.
• $250 for Austin East from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church La Grange.
• $250 for East Texas Jacksonville from United Way of Rusk County.
• $100 for East Texas Tyler from Langen/Wink Bible Class.

Note to Donors!

The Texas Ramp Project is eternally grateful for the many donations we receive every week from so many different sources. We could not build ramps without your support. Please note that if you would like your donation to be used for a specific geographic region, be sure to note it on your check or alternative form of payment. Donations that are received without a specific designation may be considered unrestricted and may be directed to the area of greatest need.

Ramp of the Month, Collingsworth County

Amarillo Region

Sixteen Downtown Lions and Wellington Lions Club members have made life easier for a 2-year-old boy and his family. Young Noel has a congenital condition that puts him at risk for falls. This greatly limits his ability to walk without his trainer or the use of his wheelchair. Noel’s new ramp will make it easier for him to come and go. The Lions Club volunteers donated 48 hours of labor to provide the ramp, which was 26 feet long. The referral came from Region 16 ESC/Early Childhood Intervention Services.

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.

The newsletter only does its job when it is dispersed and shared with all who might be interested. We encourage you to liberally pass it on to others in your region.

Also, do send email addresses of people in your region who should be receiving it, along with their name and TRP region, to Sandy Knutson at sjknutson@texasramps.org.

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