Hard Work Pays Off

A small - and intensely focused - team of builders got together this past Saturday morning to build a new ramp for Jesse. Though windy and cold, these guys, along with their veteran team leader Mac, were smiling and joking with each other when I visited. They were hard at work when I stopped by and clearly accomplished what they set out to achieve - once again.

And, what a family I had the opportunity to meet! Jesse is pictured here with his wife Dolly and daughter Margie. Jesse and Dolly have been married for over sixty years. The secret to a long, happy marriage they tell me, is all about the art of compromise and a lot of hard work.

Speaking of hard work, Jesse worked for the same company for over 29 years - and worked seven days a week for 26 of them - to provide for his family. He left the house at four o'clock in the morning for nearly four decades, often not returning until 9 or 10 o'clock at night.

His life changed dramatically back in 1984 when Jesse injured his leg falling off of a loading dock. His leg was fused and contains four steel pins. He has had to make a lot of adjustments as a result of the accident. For one, Jesse was not used to accepting help.

That being said, because navigating his porch was getting increasingly challenging - he turned to the Dallas Ramp Project and he and his loving family are glad they did. Jesse is looking forward to enjoying his new ramp and the ease of getting in and out of the house.

This Christmas, Jesse and his family has a lot to be thankful for - for each other, the rest of their family and the goodness of others. We wish them, and our dedicated volunteers, all of the blessings of the holiday season.

Hope & Determination

Clester is a sweet, soft spoken woman with an unwavering belief in God. Wheelchair bound and paralyzed on her left side, Clester suffers from both a broken hip and the effects of five strokes. Nonetheless, she is bright-eyed and determined to make it to church this Christmas - now less than ten days away.

Clester, one of twelve children in her family, was born in Nacogdoches, Texas. She moved to Dallas in 1978. She and her husband have lived in their home for over fifteen years. Though you could not tell by looking at her, Clester is 75 years old.

She relies on her sister who lives just down the road to help her get in and out of the house these days. It's a comfort to have her so close by - and especially since her husband is in the hospital at the moment due to a back injury.

Clester also looks to the Bible for hope and inspiration. She is known to quote verses often and finds peace and solace in the scriptures.

Thanks to a small and dedicated team of ramp builders who braved the frigid windy weather this past Saturday morning, Clester and her husband will be able to join their friends and family at her church in celebration of Christmas this year.

Speaking of our volunteers, these hard-working guys from the First Baptist Church of Carrolton, along with their veteran team leader Peter and Steve, one of our "regulars," spent several hours building this ramp in forty degree weather. These guys deserve a "virtual" round of applause for a job well done.