PACE — Ray of Hope will build its 500th ramp on June 4.
The non-profit organization, based out of Woodbine United Methodist Church in Pace, provides a safe, comfortable way for needy, disabled people in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties to get in and out of their homes.
Ray of Hope started in the summer of 2002, when Jimmy Ray saw someone in a wheelchair struggling to get into his house. He felt the need to help this man and others like him.
The first ramp — 500 ramps ago — was built by Jimmy, his wife and their young daughter until it started growing, and he approached Woodbine UMC, and they picked it up as a church ministry.
Ray of Hope depends on donations and grants, and the ministry has been supported by church members at Woodbine UMC and through other churches.
The ministry received an Impact 100 grant in 2012, which allowed the organization to purchase a work vehicle. Xerox has supported the ministry financially, along with the Milton Knights of Columbus and the Pensacola Rotary Club. Pace First United Methodist also has been supportive.
Contact the Woodbine UMC office, 995-0007, to aid the ministry.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Ray of Hope to build 500th wheelchair ramp