Newsletter

Volume 8, Issue 5

May 2026

Message from Mark Denzin

Texas Ramp Project Executive Director

Evolving in a Changing World



As we move into the summer season at the Texas Ramp Project, I want to take a moment to discuss something that is critically important to the long-term strength and sustainability of our organization: innovation, consistency, and operational alignment across our statewide mission delivery system.

TRP has grown because of the passion, dedication, and ingenuity of our volunteers, regional leaders, partners, and supporters. One of our greatest strengths has always been the ability of local regions to respond to the unique needs of their communities. That flexibility remains essential to who we are. At the same time, growth requires us to continually evaluate how we operate, communicate, and deliver services to ensure we are creating the best possible experience for the people we serve.

Over the coming months, we will begin introducing organizational improvements designed to strengthen operational pathways, clarify guidelines, and create greater consistency throughout the state. This effort is not about limiting local decision making. Rather, it is about providing better tools, clearer expectations, and stronger support systems that allow local leaders to make informed decisions with confidence and flexibility.

As any mission-driven organization evolves, processes that once worked well may need refinement. Some procedures may need to be streamlined, updated, or simplified to better reflect current realities and opportunities. Our focus is to remove unnecessary barriers while creating more solution-focused delivery models that improve responsiveness, communication, and overall mission impact.

Organizational consistency does not mean every region must operate identically. It means we are aligned in our purpose, guided by shared standards, and equipped with operational frameworks that support both accountability and innovation. By developing clearer systems and pathways, we can enhance safety, improve volunteer experiences, strengthen referral relationships, and ultimately serve more individuals and families in need.

Innovation also means being willing to ask important questions:

• How can we improve the client experience?
• How can we reduce delays and confusion?
• How can we better support our regional leaders and volunteers?
• How can we create sustainable systems that position TRP for future growth?

The answers to those questions will come through collaboration, communication, and a willingness to embrace thoughtful change.

Our mission remains unchanged. We are here to provide freedom, independence, and accessibility to Texans who need it most. What will continue to evolve is how we organize ourselves to deliver that mission more effectively, more consistently, and with greater long-term sustainability.

I want to thank each of you for the leadership, adaptability, and commitment you bring to this organization every day. The future of TRP is strong because of the people behind the mission, and I am excited about the opportunities ahead as we continue building an organization prepared not only for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s possibilities.

Mark

Scott claims he is really not a “car guy” but enjoys restoring this 1955 Chevy Bel Air anyway.

Meanwhile, Scott continues to exercise his skills with TRP. “Meeting the client and their family, doing the site surveys, designing and building the ramps,” he says, “I get a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment helping those who cannot help themselves.”

Ramping on the RIver

Sporting their bright red TRP T-shirts on a recent river cruise are Smithville rampers (from left) Buddy and Laurie Wilson, Cecil and LouAnne Perkins, and Becky and Mark Bunte.

Buddy Wilson’s wife, Laurie, relayed their experience when six Austin Central Smithville TRP crew members went on a Mississippi River cruise in May. They wore their red 40^th anniversary T-shirts, which attracted the attention of the other passengers. Some passengers thought there were more than just the six on board. Another passenger researched the TRP website and asked for more details. The cruise director copied the web address.

Clearly the red T-shirts can arouse interest and lead to questions. And questions can lead to new volunteers and donors. Buddy gladly explained the purpose and the how of the Texas Ramp Project to fellow passengers, noting that the ramps are paid for by donations.

So wear those shirts! As Laurie says: “We hope our “advertising” brings in some donations and new interest in the Texas Ramp Project.”

In the News – Victoria Region

Carpentry students from Victoria College built a ramp in May for a Mission Valley woman who needed a ramp. The build was picked up by Crossroads Today. It contains lots of photos submitted for the story by Victoria North coordinator Mark Kortokrax. It included a call for volunteers. Read the article.

Create Healthy Supports Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

Create Healthy, which fosters health and wellness in the Hill Country, has awarded TRP a $500 grant to celebrate volunteers who so faithfully provide ramps for people with disabilities in the Hill Country.

Region coordinator Tom Canfield brought together 27 volunteers from Blanco, Llano, Gillespie and the city of Comfort in Kendall County to have breakfast and assemble modules for ramps to be built across the region. Of the 31 modules assembled, 13 were for ramps that are surveyed and scheduled for construction. Six other modules will be used for a man coming home soon after a leg amputation. The remaining modules are on hand for future ramps.

The Texas Ramp Project has received two $10,000 grants from Create Healthy. Our work was recently featured in Create Healthy’s Grantee Spotlight, https://createhealthy.org/our-impact.

A group of 27 Hill Country volunteers turned out for a group meeting on April 25 to enjoy breakfast tacos, donuts and coffee courtesy of Create Healthy. Region coordinator Tom Canfield wrote the $500 grant and coordinated the event. The gathering was held at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church.

As part of the Hill Country gathering, the volunteers assembled 31 modules for upcoming ramp builds. A pickup stack of lumber was precut for 16 of the 4x8 modules under two canopies to allow work in the shade. A third workstation was set up in a small shed for 5-foot-wide modules. The modules were stacked in different areas, ready to be loaded for builds.

Rebate Benefits from Lowe’s

The Texas Ramp Project has received a check for $17,373 from Lowe’s. The check is a rebate for charges to TRP’s Lowe’s Pro Account based on qualified sales from 2025. Thanks to Keith Henderson for setting up and monitoring the Pro Accounts and Peter Heinkel for managing TRP’s credit cards.



Grants and donations received in the past month include the following:



• $35,000 for East Texas from an anonymous East Texas foundation.
• $17,373 for Statewide use from Lowe’s.
• $15,000 for San Angelo from The Art & Eva Camuñez Tucker Foundation.
• $15,000 for Texoma Grayson County from Byrd Fielder Livengood Trust.
• $10,000 for Dallas from Women of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.
• $10,000 for East Texas Emory from Wood County Electric Charitable Foundation.
• $5,000 for NCT South Ellis County from Waxahachie Foundation.
• $5,000 for Amarillo from Louise Bowers Slentz Foundation.
• $5,000 for NCT East Hunt County from Farmers Electric Charitable Foundation.
• $5,000 for East Texas Van Zandt and Athens from Four Mile Lutheran Church WELCA.
• $3,442 for Austin North from Christ Lutheran Church Georgetown.
• $2,193 for Waco South from Waco Habitat for Humanity.
• $2,000 for Waco North Hill County from HILCO Electric Trust.
• $1,149 for Houston from Good Shepherd Church Cypress.
• $1,000 for Statewide use from Scholars and Athletes Serving Others.
• $1,000 for Texarkana West Titus/Franklin counties from First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon.
• $895 for San Antonio Central from Abiding Presence Lutheran Church.
• $869 for San Antonio Central from First Baptist Church of Universal City.
• $750 for San Antonio Northeast from St. John’s Episcopal Church New Braunfels.
• $500 for Texarkana West Titus County from First United Methodist Church Pittsburg.
• $500 for East Texas Jacksonville Rusk County from United Way of Rusk County.
• $500 for Hill Country counties from Create Healthy.
• $500 for Statewide use from Charities Aid Foundation America.
• $470 for Denton County from Argyle United Methodist Church.
• $450 for Austin West from Hill Country Fellowship.
• $402 for Austin West from The Church at Horseshoe Bay.
• $368 for NCT South from Builders Sunday School Class First UMC Waxahachie.
• $100 for East Texas Tyler from Langen/Wink Bible Class.
• $50 for East Texas Jacksonville from Cherokee Animal Clinic, PLLC.

Muslim Women Build Ramps in Irving

Ten members of the Dallas group 200 Muslim Women Who Care turned out on May 2 to build ramps for two Irving men with severe disabilities. The two ramps measured 31 and 32 feet, respectively, and were completed in a morning. Team leads were Kelly Gant and Susan Sullivan. Both referrals came from a social worker at Villages on MacArthur.

The Texas Ramp Project’s Dallas region received a $10,000 grant in January from 200MWWC. The local chapter was launched in 2024 to support local nonprofits while building bridges of understanding and compassion with the greater community. They represent a growing group of women of culturally diverse backgrounds united by a shared commitment to help others with the goal of building safer, healthier and stronger communities for all.

Three women from 200 Muslim Women Who Care helped build a ramp for a man who couldn’t negotiate the five steps at his door.

Five 200MWWC women and a friend’s son participated in this build in Irving.

Sign the Ramp Post: It’s Important!

By Robert Tonti, Region Coordinator, Houston North

I reminded my teams here in North Houston to remember to sign the baluster post—where we affix the Texas Ramp Project plaque. I reminded them that when we build a ramp, it’s not just about the ramp. We have received several thank you notes from clients saying how special it was that all the folks who built the ramp signed the post.

You can imagine that a person may be coming home from the hospital, possibly in a wheelchair for the first time. The ramp is a wonderful gift, but when they see the signatures, they also realize that a bunch of folks showed up to do this, just for them. Our church teams add their own plaque beneath the TRP plaque and would say that they build the ramp as an expression of a love and desire to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

I believe that when the client sees the names, they know they are not alone. While the ramp surely lifts them up physically, the signatures lift their hearts. Some of them need that more than the ramp.

Houston Invites New Corporate Team

A new corporate team from AmRisc Group, a Houston insurance underwriter, helped build a new ramp for Michael Bay of Magnolia. Four women from AmRisc plus a partial team from Magnolia's First Baptist Church joined Robert Tonti and Jim Grinnan at the site. The Bays are pictured in the middle of the new 40-foot ramp.

What a delight to receive the following note from the Bays.

Texas Ramp Project Online Store

In March we launched the Texas Ramp Project online store—your one-stop shop for representing TRP in style and sharing our mission in your community.

At our new TRP store you will find:

●    TRP soft goods like apparel and branded items—perfect for showing your support and spreading awareness wherever you go.

●    Marketing and outreach materials, including brochures, business cards, and other publicly facing resources you can use to help broaden understanding of the TRP mission in your local community.

To Access the store: Go to the TRP website, https://texasramps.org/, and click on On-line Store. 

Ramp of the Month

Tom Green County, San Angelo Region

San Angelo coordinator Rob Newman rallied a group of fellow DPS troopers to build this ramp for 5-year-old Josiah, a San Angelo resident who had been in a serious road accident and spent months in rehab. Recognizing the need for a ramp, Blackshear Heights Family made the referral that could facilitate his return home. His 41-foot ramp was completed by 20 volunteers in three and a half hours. Enjoy the story below.

Texas Department of Public Safety - West Texas Region's Facebook Post

DPS Troopers Build Ramp for 5-Year-Old

SAN ANGELO - This week, an amazing group of volunteers came together to complete a handicap ramp for a brave five-year-old boy from San Angelo returning home after spending the last year in a skilled nursing facility in Lubbock following a tragic crash in Irion County.

Because of the generosity and hard work of so many people, this sweet child and his family now have safe and accessible access to their home as they begin this next chapter together.

A very special thank you goes out to the Texas DPS Troopers who stepped up to help make this project possible. Your willingness to serve beyond the badge and give your time to help this family is something truly special. The kindness, teamwork, and heart shown throughout this project will not be forgotten.

We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ramp Project for partnering with us on this build and helping make this ramp a reality for this deserving family.

Thank you to every volunteer, supporter, and person who shared prayers, encouragement, materials, and labor. This is what community is all about — neighbors helping neighbors when it matters most.

God bless this family and everyone who helped welcome this little boy home.

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

Click on the logo below to access the TRP website.

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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