Home Builders Foundation Kicks Off 13th Annual Blitz Campaign

Carson C. and dog with BB team | All Photos Courtesy of  Home Builders Foundation

Thanks to the efforts of volunteer crews who installed mobility ramps at their homes, three individuals with physical disabilities now have a greater sense of independence and safety. The ramps were built as part of the 13th annual Blitz Build campaign hosted by the nonprofit Home Builders Foundation (HBF). This year’s Blitz Build kicked off the weekend of May 18-20 and will continue through October, with one three-day Blitz Build weekend each month. By the end of the campaign, HBF anticipates that nearly 25 clients will have new ramps.

For Kathleen C., who is in her 70s and has balance issues resulting from epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis and a recent hip surgery, the new ramp will ease isolation. She is excited to now be able to leave the house safely and easily to take walks and visit neighbors.  A volunteer crew from Colorado Housing & Finance Authority (CHFA) built the ramp at Kathleen’s Commerce City home. On the other side of town, volunteers from FirstBank, who were led by framers from Haberer Carpentry, installed a ramp for a two-year-old in Castle Rock. Juniper P. was born with a very rare genetic mutation that has been reported by less than 20 other people in the world and causes neurologic disorders and epilepsy.

CHFA group with Kathleen BB 2023

Juniper, family and team

Her parents requested the ramp so that they could more easily and safely transport her to appointments and family gatherings. The May Blitz Build weekend wrapped up with the installation of two wide ramps for 23-year-old Carson C. in Littleton. Carson has cerebral palsy and lives independently in his own apartment on the property where his mom operates a horse therapy program. The new ramps will accommodate both Carson’s wheelchair and his service dog, allowing him to access the main house and also assist with the therapy program. Carson enjoyed watching the crew from OrePac Building Products, a distributor of Fiberon Decking, which is the presenting sponsor for the 2023 Blitz Build campaign, construct and install the ramps.

Carson watches ramp construction – Abby Wilson

Since the initiation of Blitz Build in 2011, 220 ramps – with a total retail value of $950,000 – have been built and installed as part of the campaign. The goal is to provide individuals who have a physical disability with more safety and independence when entering and leaving their homes and accessing our community. The current retail cost of a mobility assistance ramp is $5,000+, which is often more than families struggling with multiple medical bills can afford. Sponsors and material donations cover the costs so that the ramps are completely free to the clients. Spots for Blitz Build volunteer crews fill quickly each year; however, HBF has additional opportunities for volunteers to get involved throughout the year.

To learn more, visit www.hbfdenver.org/volunteerwithhbf/