Volunteer Spotlight

ImageImagine not being able to leave your home for years without being carried through the doorway. How would you feel if you could never go outside and feel sunshine or a breeze? What if you knew that you could not leave your home in an emergency (fire, break-in, etc.)? Unfortunately, living in these conditions is a grim reality for many of the senior clients of Sheltering Arms Senior Services. Many clients have expressed their concerns to their Telephone Reassurance volunteers, and luckily their cry was answered by a group of angels in our community led by Brent Rager.

ImageBrent has volunteered at Sheltering Arms for 5 years. During this time, he has assisted in the construction of approximately 30 life changing wheelchair ramps. A full time engineer, family man, and community service advocate, Brent inspires everyone around him to take advantage of community service opportunities. He has utilized the assistance of Boy Scout troops, family members, and church members to assist with ramp building. While on site, Brent encourages younger volunteers to chat with the elderly clients as they watch their new ramp being constructed. After one especially heartfelt visit, Brent wrote to our office and said “Once again, thank you for providing us the opportunity to reach out and not only touch, but make some new friends, through these ramp projects.” We only hope he knows how much gratitude and thanks that Sheltering Arms and the clients that he’s touched have for him. Without Brent’s genuine compassion, disabled clients may go for years without being able to leave their home unassisted or risk an injury by using a ramp that is not safe. Brent’s generosity and dedication to our clients provides them with a renewed sense of independence and security by allowing them to exit their homes independently. His humanity and invaluable contributions to Houston seniors has officially earned his spot in the Sheltering Arms Volunteer Spotlight.

Brent Rager (2nd from front) and his family crew perform a weight test on a new ramp to make sure that it is sturdy for the client.

A group of generous Chapelwood volunteers, who sacrificed their Holy Saturday to build this new ramp.  We know it was a great Easter Morning when our client was able to be safely wheeled out the front door and down to her car to attend her Easter Morning Service!

The day’s efforts, generously provided by Chapelwood's Boy Scouts, have provided the client the freedom to exit his home for the first time in over a year without having to be carried through the doorway.