Monday, March 27, 2017

Coldspring students build ramp for San Jacinto County veteran



Under the supervision of Coldspring-Oakhurst High School instructor Charles "Chuck" Cotton, students in the COHS construction management class volunteered to build a wheelchair ramp for Leo Runnels, a disabled veteran in San Jacinto County, after he was featured in the Cleveland Advocate and Eastex Advocate.

The students involved in the project designed and constructed the wooden ramp to meet American Disability Act (ADA) standards. They figured out the amount and sizes of building materials needed, and comprised a bid sheet for material costs. The materials were donated by San Jacinto County Adult Protective Services. The completed wheelchair ramp measured 64 feet and took a total of three days to build.

"The majority of the first day was spent prepping the area, calculating elevations and slope, and setting post," said Cotton. "One of the biggest challenges was an existing concrete sidewalk with steps."

He said students met the challenge with sledge hammers and crow bars. After a few hours of intensive labor, they busted out and removed 20 feet of concrete sidewalk and steps to accommodate the new ramp. The students pushed through two more days of construction, even choosing to skip lunch the third day in order to complete the ramp.

"COCISD is proud of these students and Mr. Cotton for caring about our community and working so hard to help someone in need," the district statement reads.

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