A group of St. Petersburg Lodge volunteers spent all day May 19 beginning to build a wheelchair ramp at a resident’s home at Heaven on Earth for Veterans (HOEV). Old concrete walkways had to be dug up before they could be framed. Dawn Lieber, PER was instrumental in getting this project organized and gathering volunteers to complete the project Memorial Day weekend. The concrete was poured May 25. This project was funded by the lodge’s Elks National Foundation Freedom Grant. Sharon Literski, Loyal Knight, and Al Literski, Lecturing Knight, worked under the direction of Carol Barkalow, HOEV co-founder and Lodge Esquire, along with the assistance of concrete and block mason, Mark Walsh. A successful home accessibility project requires careful planning to be certain that the ramp meets the occupant's needs, complies with local building requirements and is safe for use in all types of weather. Founded in March 2013, Heaven on Earth for Veterans Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides quality living spaces for veterans in need.
St. Petersburg Lodge members Wayne Simpson; Al Literski, Lecturing Knight; Gary Stedham; Sharon Literski, Loyal Knight; and Jan Musgrave begin cleaning and marking the ramp area using stakes and string after clearing the area.
Pictured are St. Petersburg Lodge members Jan Musgrave; Gary Stedham; Sharon Literski, Loyal Knight; Al Literski, Lecturing Knight; and Wayne Simpson.
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