CoServ Employees volunteer to build a ramp for Justin Members
For 20 years, Jim and Cindy Chastain have lived on a quiet pasture overlooking rolling hills in Justin. Recently, health problems have made the few steps up to the home increasingly dangerous for both of them.
With surgery looming, Jim worried that he would be home bound while he recovers.
“I have to go up and down the stairs with this cane and it takes me a long time,” Jim said. “They have to go and redo my leg, so I’m going to be in this wheelchair for a few more months.”
For Jim’s sister, who is also in a wheelchair, visiting was nearly impossible.
The longtime Justin resident and CoServ Member couldn’t believe his luck when the Texas Ramp Project told him he was approved for a wheelchair ramp and that Employees from his electric co-op would help build it.
“It just means everything to me. It means everything to my sister, too, because we’ll be able to get her over here. She can’t go up steps,” Jim said.
CoServ Employees showed up on a Saturday morning to build the 56-foot ramp with 2x4s and plywood. They started by building the frames, securing them in place, and then tacking down the plywood. Lastly, they build the handrails and kicker boards for the entire length of the ramp.
Overall, the ramp took more than 7 hours to build but the finished project will change the lives of CoServ Members forever. This is CoServ’s sixth year partnering with the Texas Ramp Project to build ramps for CoServ Members.
“CoServ Employees have a heart to give back to the communities they serve and all the sweat and hard work they put into these ramps is more than worth it to give a Member the mobility and freedom they deserve,” said Conan Tearney, CoServ’s Information Technology Services Manager, and lead on CoServ ramp build volunteer projects.
Jim has been a CoServ Member the whole time he’s lived on the property and said he appreciates Employees volunteering their time to help him and his family.
“They’re just a good company. They always have been,” he said.
