Texas Ramp Project

Wilson County News

Building freedom, one ramp at a time
By Nannette Kilbey-Smith August 11, 2026

A job well done! Volunteers celebrate the completion of a new ramp, constructed and installed by volunteers working with the Texas Ramp Project, for a Wilson County resident. The nonprofit Texas Ramp Project has installed more than 33,000 ramps in the past 40 years. COURTESY PHOTOS/ESD 3. Send photos to [email protected] for possible publication.
A job well done! Volunteers celebrate the completion of a new ramp, constructed and installed by volunteers working with the Texas Ramp Project, for a Wilson County resident. The nonprofit Texas Ramp Project has installed more than 33,000 ramps in the past 40 years. COURTESY PHOTOS/ESD

During the heat of a Texas summer, many families opt to spend time cooling off — splashing in a pool, tubing a river, wading the waters on a Texas beach.

But Nikki Hardwick, clinical operations manager and community paramedic with Wilson County Emergency Services District 3 (ESD 3), and her two kids turned out on a hot Saturday morning July 11 with a group of other volunteers to make life a little easier for a community member in need. They assisted the Texas Ramp Project, helping construct and install a ramp to help an individual with mobility needs.

Through her job with ESD 3, Hardwick oversees the district’s Mobile Integrated Health program. ESD 3, through Wilson County District 3 EMS, provides emergency medical services to all of eastern Wilson County and part of Guadalupe County.

Making connections

The Mobile Integrated Health program helps connect community members encountered by the EMS with community resources, helping improve lives and bridging the gap between what insurance might cover and what people need.

“Some of the most common issues I see are medication questions, transportation services, mobility aid device needs, food insecurities, chronic illness education, veteran services, behavioral health services, and community resources,” she said. She helps people connect with food pantries, community organizations that can provide assistance, veterans organizations and services, and more.

Volunteers gather in July to install a ramp for a Wilson County community member. The volunteer group working with the Texas Ramp Project included Wilson County ESD 3 Clinical Operations Manager Nikki Hardwick and her two children.
Volunteers gather in July to install a ramp for a Wilson County community member. The volunteer group working with the Texas Ramp Project included Wilson County ESD 3 Clinical Operations Manager Nikki Hardwick and her two children.

The Mobile Integrated Health service is free within the ESD 3 service area — including La Vernia, Sutherland Springs, Stockdale, Pandora, and nearby areas.

“If I don’t have the answer or solution, I can find somebody that does,” Hardwick said.

Providing freedom

Over the past two years, Hardwick has helped some community members by providing referrals to the Texas Ramp Project, which has — with volunteers — constructed and installed more than 33,0000 ramps for people in need across Texas. Recently, she not only made the referral, she was invited to assist with the builds.

Texas Ramp Project leaders visit the proposed site, take measurements, order materials, assemble a team of volunteers, and set the building date. David Teel is the Texas Ramp Project leader in the Wilson County area.

On July 11, Hardwick said, “13 volunteers gathered bright and early” and assembled an Americans with Disabilities-approved ramp in about 1-1/2 hours.

“Something that has made my heart so happy is that I have been able to share my passion for helping others with my children,” she said. “Both of my kiddos have now successfully helped to build a ramp within our area.”

Hardwick also helped with another Texas Ramp Project installation in June. The night before, she helped demolish the old ramp at the Floresville-area property — “not afraid to get her hands dirty,” Teel said — then was one of the volunteers, along with Wilson County Rotary Club President Cynthia Cuevas and member Holli Smith, who installed a 40-foot ramp the next day. Together, 15 volunteers completed the project in 5 hours, Teel said.

“There are countless man hours that go unseen in drafting up an ADA-approved ramp, gathering materials, and organizing the volunteers,” Hardwick said. “The day of build — and sometimes demolition, if needed — is fast-paced and oh-so-rewarding.”

ESD 3 Mobile Integrated Health

Wilson County ESD 3 connects community members “who could use a little help” with services, according to Clinical Operations Manager Nikki Hardwick. This can include:
•Medication questions or prescription assistance
•Transportation services
•Food insecurity
•Mobility aid devices
•Chronic illness education
•Veterans services
And more.

Learn more at wcesd3.net/mih-services, or call 830-581-0380.

Texas Ramp Project

Texas Ramp Project, for more than 40 years, helped provide freedom for many Texans who use a wheelchair or walker, by providing ADA-approved ramps to help them navigate safely to and from their homes.

The nonprofit organization’s mission is to build free wheelchair ramps for those who find their steps a barrier. Ramps are provided without regard to a recipient’s race, religion, ethnicity, age, or gender.

Since incorporation in 2006, Texas Ramp Project has installed 33,378 ramps; if laid end-to-end, they would stretch more than 158 miles!

Locally, Texas Ramp Project leader David Teel has been working with volunteers from the Combat Veterans Association and other volunteers to meet the needs of community members. But volunteers are still needed to help meet the ongoing needs.

“We always welcome volunteers,” said Teel.

“No experience is required,” said Wilson County ESD 3 Clinical Operations Manager Nikki Hardwick, who worked on two recent installations.

Learn more about Texas Ramp Project at texasramps.org/.

To volunteer locally, call Teel at 830-581-9975.

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A job well done! Volunteers celebrate the completion of a new ramp, constructed and installed by volunteers working with the Texas Ramp Project, for a Wilson County resident. The nonprofit Texas Ramp Project has installed more than 33,000 ramps in the past 40 years. COURTESY PHOTOS/ESD

The Gatesville Messenger

Local Texas Ramp Project volunteers help community

By Ally Hinkle The Gatesville Messenger on Friday, July 31, 2026

Alt Text for Image

A group of volunteers from Coryell Community Church (CCC) aid a non-profit’s mission to provide wheelchair accessible ramps to those with disabilities or low-income elders.

The Gatesville branch of the Texas Ramp Project (TRP) was founded sometime in 2021 by Jim and Marcia Hoge, formerly members of the Waco branch, after they moved to Gatesville.

According to volunteer Kelly Adair, since the branch’s founding the TRP volunteers have built around 30–40 ramps around Gatesville, Copperas Cove and Moody.

He stated that within the first year they had only built around two to three ramps in the entire year, and now they try to build at least one ramp a month.

The latest ramp they built was special to Adair, being built for a member of the CCC congregation in what he deemed as “record time.”

The last ramp was built for Jim Brown, who at the time was in the hospital recovering from a major surgery, and the process took 11 days from the paperwork being submitted to the ramp being completed.

According to Adair, this was due to the build of the ramp, which Adair referred to as pre-built, and that allowed them to complete the ramp in record time.

“It was special since it was for one of our own, and because it was so quick,” Adair said.

Typically, the process can take anywhere from six to eight weeks from paperwork being filed to the recipient of the ramp being able to use it for the first time.

According to the parent organization, the TRP will only accept referrals from qualified organizations or healthcare professionals. From there, the organization will supply the materials while all the work is done by volunteers.

The Gatesville branch will also receive donations from CCC as well as from individuals who have received ramps through the program.

The ramps are built from the recipient’s front door of their home to their driveway or wherever their vehicle is parked at their home. Adair said typically in Gatesville the modules and a majority of the building takes place in his workshop next door to his home before a group of six to seven volunteers assemble the ramp in a couple of hours at the recipient’s home.

The parent organization was founded in 1985 in Richardson, Texas, before becoming a statewide nonprofit in June of 2006. Since 2006, the TRP has expanded to cover over 150 counties within Texas and have built nearly 33,400 ramps. These ramps are built for individuals regardless of race, religion, age, gender or ethnicity. These ramps are also free to the recipients.

For more information, visit the TRP website at texasramps.org.

Texas Ramp Project funds ramps for residents with disabilities SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Volunteers from the local San Angelo community gather to build wheelchair ramps for houses with handicap, low-income residents. These jobs are completel…

Texas Ramp Builds in Schulenburg | The Fayette County Record .

KDH News – Killeen–Fort Hood Area

Belton student athletes contribute more than 2,700 hours of service to community

BY SAM SCHAFFER | TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER - Jul 7, 2026


Belton ISD students help build free wheelchair ramps for those in need in Central Texas area. —Courtesy Belton ISD

BELTON — Maintaining local parks, stocking food pantries, greeting students on campuses and reading to elementary students are just a few of the ways Belton Independent School District student athletes gave back to the community last year.

During the 2025-26 school year, Belton ISD student athletes logged 2,760 hours of community service, according to a news release from the district.

"Community service is a cornerstone of our athletics program because it teaches our students that leadership extends beyond competition," said Sam Skidmore, Belton ISD director of athletics.

"We want our student-athletes to understand that they have a responsibility to give back to the community that supports them,” Skidmore said.

A premiere volunteer opportunity of the athletic program comes from a partnership with the city. Students help maintain and improve Chisholm Trail Park, according to the release.

Student athletes have participated in cleanups and beautification projects at the park over the last four years. Some of their efforts include collecting litter, shoveling sand and mulch, painting boulders and clearing brush on pathways leading to Sparta Elementary School.

The release stated park improvement efforts are meant to inspire the students to take responsibility for a public area they regularly use.

“Our athletes use Chisholm Trail Park regularly, so it makes sense for them to take pride in maintaining and improving it," stated coach Oscar Bersoza, who led student cleanup efforts at the park.

Park improvement efforts are just one area of volunteering by the students.

Throughout the year, teams volunteered with food pantries, participated in Christmas toy drives, supported community festivals and served on elementary campuses through youth camps, career days, morning greetings and classroom book readings, according to the release.

Belton High School teams also partner with the Texas Ramp Project to build free wheelchair ramps for elderly and disabled people throughout Central Texas.

"Our athletes get to see the direct impact of their hard work. The community supports us at games and events, so it's a privilege to give back," Bersoza stated.

🇺🇸 Freedom is one of America’s greatest gifts.

This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy every day, it’s important to remember that for many Texans living with mobility challenges, something as simple as leaving their home can be difficult—or impossible.

At the Texas Ramp Project, we believe everyone deserves the freedom to safely enter and leave their home. Through the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors, we build wheelchair ramps that restore independence, dignity, and peace of mind.

A ramp is more than lumber and nails. It’s the freedom to visit family, attend church, see a doctor, shop for groceries, or simply enjoy a beautiful day outside.

This Independence Day, help us give the gift of freedom to Texans in need.

❤️ Donate.
🔨 Volunteer.
🇺🇸 Change a life.

Visit https://texasramps.org/donate/ to make a donation, sign up to volunteer, or learn how you can help restore freedom and independence to a fellow Texan.

This July 4th, celebrate your freedom by giving it back to someone else.

Together, we can help everyone get off the porch.

Happy Fourth of July from the Texas Ramp Project!

Crossroads Today – Victoria

Texas Ramp Project brings family more freedom through biggest build
Trenton Whiting - 25 News Now – June 9, 2026


VICTORIA, Texas - The Texas Ramp project completed its most ambitious build for a woman who was confined to her home for three months without the ability to freely leave.

Rosa Cuellar's complications with diabetes led to an amputation that forced her into a wheelchair. There are no other entrances to the home besides the front door

Her family and friends supported her by helping her get out of the house to attend appointments, go to the store, or do anything outside of the house.

Due to her loved ones' schedules, it wasn't a sustainable situation to allow her full freedom and autonomy.

The Victoria North Chapter of the Texas Ramp Project changed everything for Cuellar and her family, building a 70-foot ramp, their largest project.

Cuellar says the ramp was completed in just three hours, forever changing the accessibility to their home.

Justin Sandoval, Cuellar's son, says the ramp has given his mother complete access to the house with minimal support. He says they now can go to restaurants, appointments, and any other locations they desire without needing multiple people to assist.

The Texas Ramp Project received support from several veterans and volunteers. The crew is always accepting new volunteers; those interested can contact Mark Kortokrax at 361-799-9098.


5/30/26: Houston:
Christ Memorial Rampers and other Volunteers helped give independence to another nieghbor!!
Thank You TRP & all the Donors of Time * Talent * and Treasure $$.