The Sag Harbor Lions Club continues to ramp up its effort to help locals in need. On Thursday morning Jan. 19, with funding provided by the Club, an aluminum accessory ramp was installed at the home of Dorothy Giles, who has resided at her house in the village of Sag Harbor for 62 years.
Ms. Giles, 94, who depends on the maneuverability of a wheel chair and assistance from her daughter Gay, found it increasingly difficult to enter and exit her home from the steep steps that lead to her front door.
“It became an increased challenge to get my mother in and out of the house safely,” said Gay, who relocated back to Sag Harbor from Virginia six years ago to live with, and take care of her mother. “I asked around to a few people and friends on ideas or who to contact for assistance, and someone suggested that the Lions Club could help.”
Gay, who works as a teacher’s aide in the Bridgehampton school district, made a call to Paul Zaykowski, the co-head of the Sag Harbor Lions Club. Discussing the request, the Lion’s Club board agreed to authorize the purchase of the much needed ramp for Mrs. Giles.
“The ramp has been a real blessing,” said Gay. “Ironically, the very next day we used it to take my mother for an unscheduled doctors appointment. The timing was perfect. I am so humbled and grateful to the Lions Club.”
While the J-shaped ramp was ultimately installed in a few hours on a rainy morning, there was a lot of evaluation work that needed to done in advance of construction. Much appreciation goes to Keith Dutcher and Bruce Bennett, both local craftsmen and builders who also reside in Sag Harbor, who spent hours volunteering over several days discussing and drawing out measurements, materials, designs and placement of the proposed ramp. “We could not have done this installation without Keith and Bruce. They are both perfectionists and they made sure everything was done right” thanked Zaykowski.
“It was an honor and privilege to help the Giles family,” added Zaykowski. “Bruce, Keith and myself knew several of Mrs. Giles children when we attended Pierson over the years. When we received the call from Gay, we knew we had to act. They are such a great family.”
