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As of July 31, 2020 Serving Our Seniors had 130 metal ramps in use. By the end of August, nine new (9) ramps were scheduled for installation in September with four (4) others waiting to be installed October 2020. Serving Our Seniors Ramps It Up! The number of Serving Our Seniors’ ramps in use throughout Erie County, increased by 75% over the last nine years. The Ramp Program helps older adults, who are living independently, to maintain their functional independence as they grow older. 2010 2019 74 ramps in service 130 ramps in service When the ramp is no longer needed it is returned to Serving Our Seniors and used to help the next person in need. Serving Our Seniors is primarily funded through the Senior Services Tax Levy. Every five (5) years this issue is brought before Erie County voters for approval. It will be on the November 2020 ballot as Issue #14 Senior Services Tax Levy. The Senior Services Tax levy has not increased since 2005. This is a levy renewal, plus an additional tax of .25 mills. The cost to a home owner of a $100,000.00 home is $23.28 per year. Kathy, 72, Milan Twp. Her husband needed the ramp, first. He was walker dependent and later wheelchair dependent. Due to arthritis and hip replacements, she too, needs the ramp to safely get into and out of the house. Tom & Jean, 77, Groton Twp. Both say moving around isn’t as easy as it used to be. When Jean took a tumble on the steps they knew they needed to do something. No serious injuries were sustained and they wanted to keep it that way. Today, both safely enter and exit their home using the ramp. Laura, Vermilion Twp., 94, fell using her steps. Luckily, she had no serious injuries. Her daughters remembered the Ramp Program in Serving Our Seniors Magazine. They encouraged Laura to apply for a ramp to be installed at her home. She is glad she did. “It’s great,” she said. John, Groton Twp., 79. Following a stroke, John would navigate the steps with help from his wife. Today he can freely enter and exit the house on his own with Serving Our Seniors’ Ramp. John’s son also uses the ramp. His grandson is in the photo, for the-fun-of-it. Augusta, Sandusky, 81, found that walking up and down the steps was becoming more difficult to do safely. Today, the ramp is helping her to maintain her functional independence. 9