Mountlake Terrace residents Brad and Pam Sheridan are one of 15 families set to benefit from a Master Builders Care Foundation “Rampathon” scheduled for Saturday, May 18, as the couple will have an access ramp built onto their 66th Avenue West home.

Rampathon is an annual event in which volunteers from the Master Builders Care Foundation build ramps for low-income homeowners in King and Snohomish County who, due to disability or disease, have trouble getting in and out of their homes.

After her husband suffered a massive aneurism, Pam Sheridan became the sole earner and caregiver, and helped Brad become “functional” again. In July 2012, Pam suffered a stroke which left her facing mental and physical challenges, including left side paralysis. She also lost her job as a result of the stroke.

Joseph Irons of Irons Brothers Construction in Shoreline is the builder captain for the Sheridan project which will start at 8:00 a.m. Saturday with a team of 18 volunteers.  As Rampathon Chair Art Castilleja explained, “Ramp captains will lead their teams in constructing access ramps giving the recipients the ability to get in and out of their homes with greater ease and flexibility.  For many of them, it will be the first time in years they have not had to rely on family or friends just to get in and out of their homes.”

According to Castilleja, each ramp represents a unique challenge for the team as they adapt design and construction to the existing landscape and the recipient’s needs. Castilleja adds, “Our efforts pay huge dividends when the recipient uses his or her new ramp for the first time. It is truly life-changing — both for them and for the volunteers. It’s that wonderful feeling that keeps our volunteers coming back year after year.”

Since its inception, the Rampathon event has built more than 350 free ramps throughout King and Snohomish counties in its 20-year history. HomeStreet Bank is the presenting sponsor for this year’s Rampathon.

The Master Builders Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.