Students from Collegiate School were the founders of RampsRVA in 2005.
In 2025 the Collegiate Club built five ramps. They have provided mobility and independence to ten permanent wheelchair users over the past two years.
These students have a true passion for raising funds and building ramps for those in need.
Collegiate students are hitting the ground running in this new year! They completed the first build of the year Sunday 2/2, and have another one scheduled in a week. Sunday's build was for Mr. M, a 55 year-old Henrico resident who has incomplete quadriplegia, meaning a partial paralysis in all limbs. This makes it impossible for him to maneuver the steps, even with the help of his care-giver mother. The student volunteer team braved the cold, worked hard to complete a complex ramp, and were rewarded with a pizza delivery ordered by Mr. M! He was thrilled with the mobility, safety and freedom his new ramp provides, and was all smiles on the test run. Thank you Sophie, Aanya, Catherine, Hannah, Chason, Emily, JD, Elle, and Avi. Good work!
And once again, it was the extra-active, super-dedicated Collegiate team who completed another build on the afternoon of President's Day. RampsRVA had built a ramp last year for Mr. N, a 26 year old man with severe mobility issues due to a connective tissue disease and neurological issues. He was forced to move into another residence and needed a ramp asap to get to medical appointments and classes. He also works full-time, usually remotely. The 4-person team from Collegiate, led by Club faculty liaison, Physics teacher, and long-time volunteer Dave Headly, gave up their afternoon off to build the straight ramp, and Mr. N used it right away as he got out of the CareVan after his class. He was thrilled for the safety and independence the ramp provides when he took a smooth test drive into the house. Thank you Carrington, Stephen, Charlie, and JD!
May 17 was a very special day for the Collegiate RampsRVA club. The Head of School, Jeff Mancabelli, joined in the build, along with 3 students, founding member Mike Dowd, and faculty advisor Dave Headly. Dr. Headly has served as club sponsor for over 16 years and been an invaluable asset to the RampsRVA team, volunteering for extra service when needed on other builds through the years.The ramp recipient was Ms. L, a 61-year old Henrico resident who is unable to walk due to severe knee problems, among other medical issues. Because she lives alone, maneuvering her steps was dangerous and almost impossible, so she was nearly trapped inside her house. The new ramp gives her the gift of mobility, safety and independence! Thank you, Collegiate family - including students Emily, Steven and Charlie! #disability #rampachallenge #volunteersmakeadifference #collegiate
The dedicated student team from Collegiate gave up a beautiful Saturday morning on 10/4 to change the life of Ms. J, a 92-year old City resident who lives by herself. Ms. J has severe medical problems which prevent her from walking, much less being able to maneuver her front steps. She uses a wheelchair full-time, and her son and daughter help her out whenever possible. They were both at the build, and the whole family was thrilled when the ramp was completed. That's three lives significantly improved in two hours! Thank you Aanya, Riya, Stephen, JD, Quinn, and Sameer for giving the gift of safety and independence to Ms. J.
Ms. C is a 76-year old Richmond resident who lives alone in an apartment complex in South Richmond, dependent on her Social Security to make ends meet. She has several serious medical issues which make her a full-time wheelchair user. After going through all the complex and proper channels (doctors' letters, submitting forms, etc.) to request a reasonable accommodation required under the fair housing laws, she received permission from her management company to build the necessary ramp.Luckily, the ace team of student pros from Collegiate School didn't let the cold and nasty weather Saturday morning (11/22/25) stop them from completing the job for Ms. C. They forged ahead and were finished in under 2 hours. Ms. C was happy to see the finished product and to realize that her life was changed forever with the gift of mobility, safety, and independence. Thank you Collegiate!
CLUB LEADERSHIP
Stephen Pollard
President
JD Chen
Vice President
