The $40,000 ramp is a gift to the community from the Rotary Club of Springfield in recognition of its centennial of providing services to people with disabilities in Clark County.
The Rotarians began about a year ago, searching for a centennial project that fit their mission and benefitted the community. Given the Gammon House draws many school groups, it means children with disabilities can also be included as well as adults who otherwise couldn’t visit.
“We were looking for something universal children and adults could use, and in our price range,” said Bonita Heeg, the club’s executive director of Services to People with Disabilities. “Our board voted unanimously to help the Gammon House.”
Gammon House president Dale Henry is pleased with the year his organization is having with the recent dedication of a plaque from the national Underground Railroad organization tying into the anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and now this step.
“We are extremely appreciative and grateful for the gift from the Springfield Rotary Club,” he said. “We are especially thankful for the partnership. The project speaks to the efforts we share in terms of community building. The Rotary Club is well known for assisting with services to those with disabilities and helping us to preserve this sight in making the Gammon House accessible to all.”
Tuesday’s groundbreaking drew several people including local dignitaries, Rotarians, Gammon House board members and those working on the ramp project. Heeg, Henry and Springfield Rotary president Mark Roberts spoke at the ceremony.
Roberts touched on the project being emblematic of what Rotarians do in their community.
Fellow Rotarian Roger Storer, who heads one of the services for those with disabilities committees, is pleased the project works on two fronts.
“It’s an honor for me and always makes my heart jump being part of something like this. It helps others, and this place is one of Springfield’s best kept secrets.”
The coronavirus pandemic pushed the project back a bit, but Heeg said the ramp should be completed this fall. The concrete ramp will include aluminum railings, which Heeg said costs a bit more but worth it in preserving the House’s historic aesthetics. It was built in 1850.
Henry mentioned a future project for the Gammon House is new fencing around it.
Rotary may currently be best known in the community for its annual Gourmet Food Truck Competition each August. But since the program’s inception, it has served nearly 5,000 Clark County residents with disabilities with camps, preschools, clinics and annual children’s Christmas party, which has been going for 98 years, and in many other ways.
This gift will be a lasting reminder.
“Our mantra is inclusion for adults and kids with disabilities in Clark County. Rotary couldn’t be more pleased to help,” Heeg said.
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