"On the morning of Saturday, January 8, 2011, the thermometer registered a chilly 8 degrees and there were several inches of snow on the ground. But that didn't stop a group of Ridge Point volunteers from tackling a project they had promised to undertake - building a wheelchair ramp at the home of a South Holland gentleman named Jack. Jack attends Ridge Point every Sunday with some friends - they always sit at a high table on the upper level and enjoy the services together. Jack's friend Charlie had mentioned the need for a ramp at Jack's home. Plans were put in motion by the Connections and Care office. Even though winter had set in, Chuck, the ramp project "foreman", was confident the ramp could be built so long as a blizzard didn't set in. Volunteers came forward readily and the date of January 8 was set. The weather forecasters predicted a foot of snow, but January 8 dawned with beautiful sunshine and no wind. Fortified by donuts, coffee, and pizza, the team of seven volunteer members of two Ridge Point small groups (six men and one brave woman!) worked tirelessly from 9 AM until 2 PM, completing the deck in one day.
Jack, whose nickname is Bubba, watched from the front porch, thrilled to see the ramp materialize before his eyes. He had spent the better part of the week in the hospital, due to complications of a weak heart, diabetes and recurring vertigo. Jack had just returned home on Thursday, but he stayed on his porch most of the morning. He told the volunteers of his years in the racing industry and showed them pictures of himself with Bobby Labonte and other racing legends. He and his wife invited the volunteers inside when it was time for pizza lunch, but the volunteers instead "picnicked" outdoors, some sitting on the newly constructed ramp. Jack has repeatedly described the ramp as ‘a beautiful piece of art!’”
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