On a bright Friday in May, a small crew from the Rotary Club of Del Sol spent the morning building something deceptively simple: a ramp. By the end of the day, two women who rely on walkers could get in and out of their home safely — something most of us never think about until a single step becomes a wall.
The build was part of Rotary District 5520's Epic Day of Service, and it happened in partnership with New Mexico Ramps, a local organization run by Del Sol club member Greg Hallstrom. That partnership is what turns a one-day volunteer effort into something durable: New Mexico Ramps brings the expertise and materials, and Rotary brings the hands.
This particular project had no shortage of hands. The crew included Bruce, Jerry, David, Kaleigh, and — in a small coincidence that kept roll call interesting — not one but two volunteers named Brad. Several brought reinforcements: Bruce brought one of the Brads, the other Brad brought a friend, and Kaleigh brought her dad. It's a small detail, but a telling one — service tends to multiply when people invite the folks they care about to come along.
For the two recipients, both of whom use walkers, the impact is immediate and daily. A ramp isn't a luxury. It's the difference between being able to leave for a doctor's appointment, a grocery run, or simply a little fresh air — and being effectively trapped indoors. Accessibility like this quietly removes one of the biggest barriers to independence for people with mobility challenges.
"It was a beautiful day and we did some good," said project chair Phil Debaradinis, summing up the morning with the kind of understatement that often accompanies the most meaningful work.
That's the spirit of the Epic Day of Service: clubs across the district stepping out on the same day to meet concrete, local needs. For Del Sol, that meant trading a few hours of a Friday for two neighbors' freedom of movement — a trade that pays dividends every single day that ramp is used.
Want to get involved? The Rotary Club of Del Sol welcomes volunteers and partners for projects like this one. To learn more about ramp builds, contact New Mexico Ramps through the club, or reach out to Rotary District 5520 to find a project near you.