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Dental volunteers build ramps, hope for others by Cindy Abole Public Relations Building useable structures to assist homebound Lowcountry residents was the aim of 28 dental medicine staff, students and faculty as participants in the Trident United Way Day of Caring campaign for 2003. Together, their day-long efforts on Sept. 11 provided some mutual rewards that lasted beyond the hours and effort spent together. “We had great success,” said Judy Alcorn with the College of Dental Medicine. “We were able to turn piles of lumber into useful utility ramps and structures for clients and their families.” She and co-worker Bill LeVoie led this year’s efforts with the Disability Resource Center in North Charleston.  Third-year CDM student Thomas Gué, left, and fourth-year student Jason Hehr construct ramp frames at the Disability Resource Center as part of the Sept. 11 TUW Day of Caring. Volunteers settled on building and constructing a dozen wheelchair ramps and turn-around structures for disabled clients and their families. Their efforts made a dent in a list of 28 needy families and individuals who need these and similar access structures.  Dental faculty member Susan Reed, Ph.D., found it easy to get involved in this year’s Day of Caring activity. She set out to work elbow to elbow with her colleagues in this effort. Previously she helped out in other Day of Caring projects, working with Habitat for Humanity through the college. “Just knowing that what we’ve accomplished in one day has helped to meet the needs of some of our Lowcountry neighbors makes our efforts more meaning-ful,” Reed said, of the experience.  Third-year dental student Thomas Gue’ was among the carpenter talent responsible for constructing the ramps and other pieces. Gué and three others ran an assembly-line effort cutting wood, constructing the framework and attaching the planks.  “Getting involved in this project was well worth the time giving a day to help out others,” Gué said, learning that their simple efforts would help wheelchair-bound people find some independence in their lives. “I’d be happy to participate in this again.” This was the third year college participants lent a hand in the annual Day of Caring event. Previously, volunteers from the college worked on projects for Habitat for Humanity and the Association for the Blind.             Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.