Granville County Senior Services is working with a group of volunteers to build ramps for residents who are in need of an alternative to stairs to safely get in and out of their home.

Garman Troup, a retired contractor, has been instrumental in this effort for the past few months, according to a statement from Granville County public information officer Lynn Allred. Troup and a diverse team of volunteers construct the ramps for Granville residents’ homes.

Granville County Senior Services Director Kathy May said when her agency receives a referral for a ramp, Troup goes to the home to measure and then calls upon his team of volunteers.

“Everyone needs to have easy access in and out of their home for reasons of safety and quality of life,” May said. “When someone finds himself in a wheelchair or having to use a walker, steps become a dangerous barrier. That’s why the work of these volunteers is so important and is so greatly appreciated.”

Troup is the former housing and home improvement director of Resources for Seniors in Wake County. He and his wife, Teresa, recently moved to Oxford. During his 35-year career in Wake County, he constructed more than 2,500 ramps and now shares his experience through his volunteer work with Granville County Senior Services.

So far, volunteers have included health workers, family members, local church members, clients’ neighbors and others interested in being part of a great experience to benefit members of our community.

Granville County residents benefitting from donated ramps over the past three months include a widow returning home from double knee replacement surgery; an amputee returning home after rehabilitation; a stroke survivor who needed a safe way for her children to transport her to and from her home; a man with a degenerative illness who suffers from repeated falls; among others.

Troup said no experience is necessary to be a ramp construction volunteer; on-the-job training is provided. Current volunteers range in age from 18 to 80, and are from Granville as well as nearby counties.

Requests for ramps can be made to the Granville County Senior Center in Oxford, 107 Lanier Street. A needs assessment will be made following the request.

“Each time a ramp is built, someone is ‘set free,’” Troup said.

For more information or to volunteer to help or donate materials for the ramp project, please contact May by phone at 919-693-1930 or through email at kathy.may@granvillecounty.org.