Rotary Club Builds Its 1002nd Ramp for Ethel Brock
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Madison County Rotary Club Ramp Crew constructed a 10-foot handicap ramp on Tuesday, 4 November, 2025 for Ethel Brock on Manley Martin Road in Danielsville. It was a tough summer for Ethel. She lost her husband of over 50 years in August. She and her husband, Cal, reared a family in Madison County with two daughters, Michelle and Malinda, while both Ethel and Cal worked for decades at Dupont in Athens. Luckily Ethel’s daughters are dutiful, loving and close. Ethel has significant medical challenges after suffering from injuries in two serious wrecks in 1996 and 2007. Her spine is damaged, and her walking is unreliable, but her heart was strong as she honored the ramp crew by joining the crew in the accompanying photograph and presenting a ramp donation to support Rotary. She is a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. This week’s ramp crew consisted of John Taylor, Walton Hill, Ed Brown, Alan Phillips, Roy Nunnally, Nevin Belsen, and Bruce Gandy.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Madison County Rotary Club Ramp Crew constructed a 10-foot handicap ramp on Tuesday, 4 November, 2025 for Ethel Brock on Manley Martin Road in Danielsville. It was a tough summer for Ethel. She lost her husband of over 50 years in August. She and her husband, Cal, reared a family in Madison County with two daughters, Michelle and Malinda, while both Ethel and Cal worked for decades at Dupont in Athens. Luckily Ethel’s daughters are dutiful, loving and close. Ethel has significant medical challenges after suffering from injuries in two serious wrecks in 1996 and 2007. Her spine is damaged, and her walking is unreliable, but her heart was strong as she honored the ramp crew by joining the crew in the accompanying photograph and presenting a ramp donation to support Rotary. She is a member of the Mount Zion Baptist Church. This week’s ramp crew consisted of John Taylor, Walton Hill, Ed Brown, Alan Phillips, Roy Nunnally, Nevin Belsen, and Bruce Gandy.
Rotary Club Builds Its 1001st Ramp for Claudette Brown
Thursday, October 30, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Madison County Rotary Club Ramp Crew constructed a 24-f00t handicap ramp with a 4-foot by 6-foot landing on Thursday, 30 October 2025, on Reed Drive in Colbert. According to Rotary leaders, Claudette is a long-time resident of Madison County where she and her husband, Joe, built a family. They have two attentive children, Belinda and Marvis, who are Madison County High School graduates and live close by, providing welcome support. Claudette worked for many years at Piedmont-Athens Regional Hospital in Athens. Joe also worked for many years at Modern Body Shop. Unfortunately, Claudette has had serious surgery on her spine and is unsteady on her feet and must rely on a walker. The family worships at Waggoners Grove Baptist Church and Rotary gratefully acknowledges the family’s donation supporting its service to Madison County. In the accompanying photograph Claudette and Joe joined this week’s crew which consisted of Bruce Gandy, Dan Weiss, Walton Hill, Roy Nunnally, Alan Phillips, Danny Dills, Don Sullinger, Gerry Carroll, Ed Brown, and John Taylor.
Thursday, October 30, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Madison County Rotary Club Ramp Crew constructed a 24-f00t handicap ramp with a 4-foot by 6-foot landing on Thursday, 30 October 2025, on Reed Drive in Colbert. According to Rotary leaders, Claudette is a long-time resident of Madison County where she and her husband, Joe, built a family. They have two attentive children, Belinda and Marvis, who are Madison County High School graduates and live close by, providing welcome support. Claudette worked for many years at Piedmont-Athens Regional Hospital in Athens. Joe also worked for many years at Modern Body Shop. Unfortunately, Claudette has had serious surgery on her spine and is unsteady on her feet and must rely on a walker. The family worships at Waggoners Grove Baptist Church and Rotary gratefully acknowledges the family’s donation supporting its service to Madison County. In the accompanying photograph Claudette and Joe joined this week’s crew which consisted of Bruce Gandy, Dan Weiss, Walton Hill, Roy Nunnally, Alan Phillips, Danny Dills, Don Sullinger, Gerry Carroll, Ed Brown, and John Taylor.
1000th Ramp Constructed for Cub Pack 377 at Comer Fair Grounds
Monday, October 20, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
The Rotary Club of Madison County constructed the 1000th handicap ramp on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The first Handicap Ramp was constructed on October 21, 1995. That was 30 years ago, and this Rotary Club averaged over 33 ramps annually during that 30-year period. It is estimated that the total value of that Handicap Ramp Program effort for the past 30 years has been over $1,000,000 in community service. The Rotary Club does not charge for materials or labor for these ramps. Our goal is to help our neighbors get in and out of their homes safely and we specialize in handicap ramp construction. We thank those that were there and helped with the ramp construction and the BBQ lunch after with Scouts USA Pack 377. We especially thank the Comer Lions Club for allowing us to have this event at the Comer Fair Grounds where the Pack 377 Scout Hut is located. Those Rotarians and volunteers that helped with the construction of the ramp and the picnic were Neil Azevedo, Virginia Beavers, Jerry Bonds, Gerry Carroll, Don Sullinger, Mitchell Hill, Pat Quinn, Wesley Chandler, Johnny Minish, Alan Phillips, Derek Doster, Bruce Gandy, Senator Frank Ginn, Bobby Gower, Dan Weiss, Phil Piche, Roy Nunnally, Ed Brown, Victor Johnson, Zach Mitcham, Harry Rice, Danny Dills, Floyd Phillips, Greg Schillo, Nancy Schillo, Adam Speir, Guy Spencer, John Taylor, Calvin Ward, Mark Wiggins, Laurie Williams, Mike Williams and not pictured is Artry Bishop, Sally vander Straeten, Ben Morris and Katie Morris.
Monday, October 20, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
The Rotary Club of Madison County constructed the 1000th handicap ramp on Saturday, October 18, 2025. The first Handicap Ramp was constructed on October 21, 1995. That was 30 years ago, and this Rotary Club averaged over 33 ramps annually during that 30-year period. It is estimated that the total value of that Handicap Ramp Program effort for the past 30 years has been over $1,000,000 in community service. The Rotary Club does not charge for materials or labor for these ramps. Our goal is to help our neighbors get in and out of their homes safely and we specialize in handicap ramp construction. We thank those that were there and helped with the ramp construction and the BBQ lunch after with Scouts USA Pack 377. We especially thank the Comer Lions Club for allowing us to have this event at the Comer Fair Grounds where the Pack 377 Scout Hut is located. Those Rotarians and volunteers that helped with the construction of the ramp and the picnic were Neil Azevedo, Virginia Beavers, Jerry Bonds, Gerry Carroll, Don Sullinger, Mitchell Hill, Pat Quinn, Wesley Chandler, Johnny Minish, Alan Phillips, Derek Doster, Bruce Gandy, Senator Frank Ginn, Bobby Gower, Dan Weiss, Phil Piche, Roy Nunnally, Ed Brown, Victor Johnson, Zach Mitcham, Harry Rice, Danny Dills, Floyd Phillips, Greg Schillo, Nancy Schillo, Adam Speir, Guy Spencer, John Taylor, Calvin Ward, Mark Wiggins, Laurie Williams, Mike Williams and not pictured is Artry Bishop, Sally vander Straeten, Ben Morris and Katie Morris.
Ramp Constructed for Camp Rainey Mountain Boy Scout Camp
Monday, October 13, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
Ramp 999 was constructed at Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, Rabun County, Georgia on September 30, 2025. The ramp was constructed at a cabin that is used by visitors and Summer Camp Staff during their Summer Camp. The crew that constructed the ramp was made up of Ranger Alex Foster and Madison County Rotary Ramp Co-Chair Ed Brown. They started the ramp at 10AM and finished at 3:00PM. The day of construction was overcast and misting rain to keep them cool during the construction period. These ramps at Camp Rainey Mountain give access to the cabin accommodations for disabled Scouters, Scouts, Staff and Advisors.
Monday, October 13, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
Ramp 999 was constructed at Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton, Rabun County, Georgia on September 30, 2025. The ramp was constructed at a cabin that is used by visitors and Summer Camp Staff during their Summer Camp. The crew that constructed the ramp was made up of Ranger Alex Foster and Madison County Rotary Ramp Co-Chair Ed Brown. They started the ramp at 10AM and finished at 3:00PM. The day of construction was overcast and misting rain to keep them cool during the construction period. These ramps at Camp Rainey Mountain give access to the cabin accommodations for disabled Scouters, Scouts, Staff and Advisors.
Aluminum Ramp Installed for the Fortson Family
Monday, October 13, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
Ms. Rita Fortson sustained injury to her pelvis and leg and had surgery to restore her mobility. The Rotary Club of Madison County Ramp crew installed Ramp 998, an Aluminum access ramp, for her to be able to come home and get in and out of her home safely. Ms. Fortson is a lifelong resident of Madison County, and her family has done so much to support Madison County in many ways. The ramp was installed on September 20, 2025, and the following were the ramp workers that participated in the installation, Alan Phillips, Walton Hill, Mitchell Hill, Danny Dills, Don Sullinger, Ed Brown, Ben Morris and Johnny Minish.
Monday, October 13, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
Ms. Rita Fortson sustained injury to her pelvis and leg and had surgery to restore her mobility. The Rotary Club of Madison County Ramp crew installed Ramp 998, an Aluminum access ramp, for her to be able to come home and get in and out of her home safely. Ms. Fortson is a lifelong resident of Madison County, and her family has done so much to support Madison County in many ways. The ramp was installed on September 20, 2025, and the following were the ramp workers that participated in the installation, Alan Phillips, Walton Hill, Mitchell Hill, Danny Dills, Don Sullinger, Ed Brown, Ben Morris and Johnny Minish.
Rotary Constructs Ramp for Brad Smith
Sunday, October 12, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Ramp Crew of the Madison County Rotary Club constructed the 997th handicap ramp, a 15-foot access ramp, for Brad Smith on Madison Street in Comer on Thursday, 9 October 2025. Brad and his wife, Jennifer Drago, are long-time residents of Madison County and are active in their community. They have reared their three children here, Nicolas, Rebecca, and Emily. Originally, they were drawn to Comer by the Christian service community, Jubilee Partners, where Brad taught English to Christian immigrants fleeing persecution and violence. Now they are part of the greater Comer community and remain active in their faith and their service to others. Unfortunately, Brad recently suffered from recurrent paralyzing strokes. But fortunately, Jennifer and he recognized the onset of a stroke, and they credit Madison County EMS and St. Mary’s Hospital’s “Stroke Unit” for early intervention and his strong recovery. The ramp crew hopes for an accelerated recovery and thanks Brad and Jennifer for joining in the accompanying photograph and for their donation to the Rotary Club. The crew this week consisted of Johnny Minish, Don Sullinger, Ed Brown, Roy Nunnally, Danny Dills, Dan Weiss, Artry Bishop and Bruce Gandy.
Sunday, October 12, 2025
By Bruce Gandy
The Ramp Crew of the Madison County Rotary Club constructed the 997th handicap ramp, a 15-foot access ramp, for Brad Smith on Madison Street in Comer on Thursday, 9 October 2025. Brad and his wife, Jennifer Drago, are long-time residents of Madison County and are active in their community. They have reared their three children here, Nicolas, Rebecca, and Emily. Originally, they were drawn to Comer by the Christian service community, Jubilee Partners, where Brad taught English to Christian immigrants fleeing persecution and violence. Now they are part of the greater Comer community and remain active in their faith and their service to others. Unfortunately, Brad recently suffered from recurrent paralyzing strokes. But fortunately, Jennifer and he recognized the onset of a stroke, and they credit Madison County EMS and St. Mary’s Hospital’s “Stroke Unit” for early intervention and his strong recovery. The ramp crew hopes for an accelerated recovery and thanks Brad and Jennifer for joining in the accompanying photograph and for their donation to the Rotary Club. The crew this week consisted of Johnny Minish, Don Sullinger, Ed Brown, Roy Nunnally, Danny Dills, Dan Weiss, Artry Bishop and Bruce Gandy.
Rotary Club of Madison County Handicap Ramp Program
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
The Rotary Club of Madison County started building ramps for disabled individuals in 1995. In 1995, while making a "Meals on Wheels" delivery to Mr. Harold McCarty, who had polio, a club member noticed that he was having great difficulty getting in and out of his house. The club came back and built him a handicap ramp that took most of the day.
These ramps are built at no cost to the ramp recipient. If they can afford a donation to the Ramp Program, it is welcomed but is not mandatory. The club has built ramps for diabetics, stroke victims, heart attacks victims, accidents, polio, birth defects, amputations, and many other disabilities. There are no Federal, State or local funds available for handicapped ramps other than through the Veterans Administration. This is an example of a service organization recognizing a need and doing something about it. Most of our ramps are in Madison County but we have gone to surrounding counties when the need is great. Other counties include Greene, Oconee, Clarke, Jackson, Barrow. Habersham, Oglethorpe, Walton, Hall and Franklin. We helped the Rotary Club of Royston-Franklin Springs (now Franklin County Rotary Club) and the Gainesville Rotary Club develop a successful ramp building program.
Financial support for the ramps comes from club fund-raising projects, and donations from the community and organizations. We have received grants and donations from the Francis Wood Foundation, Jackson EMC Foundation, and from other local organizations. Depending on the size of the ramp, it may take from 20 to 35 manhours or more to plan and construct. The materials for each ramp can run between $500 and $1250 or more. Rotary Club members and community volunteers give freely of their time to plan and construct the ramps and provide all the labor.
If you want to be part of this very successful program and financially support the Ramp Program effort, you can send your financial contribution with a note indicating it is for the "Handicap Ramp Program" made out to “Madison County Rotary Foundation” and mailed to:
Rotary Club of Madison County
P.O. Box 596
Danielsville, GA 30633
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
By Edward A. Brown
The Rotary Club of Madison County started building ramps for disabled individuals in 1995. In 1995, while making a "Meals on Wheels" delivery to Mr. Harold McCarty, who had polio, a club member noticed that he was having great difficulty getting in and out of his house. The club came back and built him a handicap ramp that took most of the day.
These ramps are built at no cost to the ramp recipient. If they can afford a donation to the Ramp Program, it is welcomed but is not mandatory. The club has built ramps for diabetics, stroke victims, heart attacks victims, accidents, polio, birth defects, amputations, and many other disabilities. There are no Federal, State or local funds available for handicapped ramps other than through the Veterans Administration. This is an example of a service organization recognizing a need and doing something about it. Most of our ramps are in Madison County but we have gone to surrounding counties when the need is great. Other counties include Greene, Oconee, Clarke, Jackson, Barrow. Habersham, Oglethorpe, Walton, Hall and Franklin. We helped the Rotary Club of Royston-Franklin Springs (now Franklin County Rotary Club) and the Gainesville Rotary Club develop a successful ramp building program.
Financial support for the ramps comes from club fund-raising projects, and donations from the community and organizations. We have received grants and donations from the Francis Wood Foundation, Jackson EMC Foundation, and from other local organizations. Depending on the size of the ramp, it may take from 20 to 35 manhours or more to plan and construct. The materials for each ramp can run between $500 and $1250 or more. Rotary Club members and community volunteers give freely of their time to plan and construct the ramps and provide all the labor.
If you want to be part of this very successful program and financially support the Ramp Program effort, you can send your financial contribution with a note indicating it is for the "Handicap Ramp Program" made out to “Madison County Rotary Foundation” and mailed to:
Rotary Club of Madison County
P.O. Box 596
Danielsville, GA 30633