Dubliners provide neighbor with new path

By Paul Gaudette on Wednesday, April 2, 2025
  • A neighbor in need received a new wheelchair ramp constructed by the Texas Ramp Project who utilized local volunteers from Dublin EMS, Dublin PD, Revitalize Dublin and city of Dublin staff. A roll off dumpster was provided by Darrell Curry with Rafter C Roll-Offs to aid in the removal of the old ramp. For more photos check out the Dublin Citizen Facebook page. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
    A neighbor in need received a new wheelchair ramp constructed by the Texas Ramp Project who utilized local volunteers from Dublin EMS, Dublin PD, Revitalize Dublin and city of Dublin staff. A roll off dumpster was provided by Darrell Curry with Rafter C Roll-Offs to aid in the removal of the old ramp. For more photos check out the Dublin Citizen Facebook page. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
  • Volunteers with Revitalize Dublin help to cut wood for a new wheelchair ramp for a citizen. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
    Volunteers with Revitalize Dublin help to cut wood for a new wheelchair ramp for a citizen. Paul Gaudette | Citizen staff photo
  • A finished wheelchair ramp will now help a resident with mobility difficulties. Volunteers with Dublin EMS, city of Dublin, Dublin PD and Revitalize Dublin assisted with the project. Courtesy photo
    A finished wheelchair ramp will now help a resident with mobility difficulties. Volunteers with Dublin EMS, city of Dublin, Dublin PD and Revitalize Dublin assisted with the project. Courtesy photo

    More than a dozen volunteers joined together through the Texas Ramp Project Saturday, March 29 to help a Dublin resident with a ramp so they can safely get in and out of their house.

    “It was discovered that one of our citizens had a porch and ramp that was unsafe,” said Dublin EMS director John Tadlock in a social media post. “In fact it had partially collapsed.”

    The homeowner reported that the collapse happened as she was being transported to the hospital on a stretcher. “I am so happy to have a safe way in and out of my house,” she said after it was built—a process that lasted from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

    Dublin EMS and Revitalize Dublin were both made aware of the need and found the perfect answer in the Texas Ramp Project who build wheelchair ramps for disabled or elderly people who can’t afford to buy one, according to their website.

    Rev. Kory Koch, Chaplain for CCS Hospice and Texas Health, Stephenville hospital is the area construction coordinator for the group and has served with the organization for 20 years, building ramps all over Texas and Oklahoma.

    He was on hand Saturday to lead the volunteers which included many from Dublin EMS, Revitalize Dublin and city staff as they removed the old ramp and built a new one. The process was aided greatly in a dumpster provided by Darrell Curry with Rafter C Roll-Offs.

    Koch, who serves the counties of Erath, Comanche, Somervell, Hood, Palo Pinto and parts of Johnson and Parker, said the applications process is simple but it can’t be a selfreferral. A physician or a helping agency like Meals on Wheels, an assisted living center or home health can apply for a resident in need at texasramps.org. The request is sent to the area coordinator who inspects and takes measurements at the home before arranging volunteers and a work day.

    He also reported the agency can always use donations and volunteers. It’s a cause that helped a Dubliner in need and has moved him enough to serve for two decades.

    “Keeping people home as long as possible is a great mission and a great goal,” Koch said.