Heights Lions Complete Several Projects

By Michael Bromka

Carlsbad Heights Lions ramp foreman Tom Dugger undertook three different projects on two consecutive Saturdays. Most recently, he and fellow volunteers built a modest wooden ramp on Valverde Street. Jay Francis helped Tom build a 2X4” understructure unit the day before.

Fellow Heights Lions Michael Bromka, Bernie Sanchez, and Rick Wiedenmann joined them, plus ringer Bryan Burns, to unload lumber, pavers, and units to begin.

Once they’d assembled the understructure, Rick wielded the Quik-Drive, a vertical screw gun. They speedily completed the wooden ramp.

The preceding Saturday, at North Alameda Street, Tom headed up his crew to install a portable aluminum ramp. Heights Lions had received it as a donation, but the metal ramp lingered in storage. Now, it was ideal for Linda Candelaria to accommodate her father’s needs.

Vidal Candelaria is visiting from Tierra Amarilla, doing physical therapy to recover from a recent surgery. He began local P.T. as an inpatient at Carlsbad Medical Center. As an outpatient, Vidal rehabs further at CMC’s clinic on North Canal Street, south of Kaleidoscoops.

“We won’t need a big wooden ramp long term,” said Linda. “The portable aluminum ramp safely meets our access needs. Friends and neighbors helped Tom Dugger assemble it.”

In addition to the aforementioned, Sydney Evans, Joel Fugate, Khushroo Ghadiali, Monty Lyons, Lion Frankie Davis, and Tim Stears of the Elks pitched in. They used a drill and robust screws to attach a measured 2X4” to the porch for the ramp’s upper end. Thereafter, most of the assembly was wrench work.

That morning’s labors were not yet done. Tom, Frankie, Jay, Michael, and Rick then drove out to the Carlsbad RV Park on National Parks Highway, where Debbie and Richard Pinching live. Lions know them for heading up Carlsbad’s LVSG, the Low Vision Support Group.

They needed a single handrail affixed to their simple wooden steps. Richard graciously deferred to Tom and his Lions during the assembly, but he eagerly took on the final task of sanding the new banister.

“The Lions reworked their plans once I explained our need,” said Richard. “They were professional and cordial. They loaned me a power sander to finish their fine work. God bless the group! They did the job as good as I would do.”

Deborah said, “Being legally blind, I really appreciated the Lions getting to this project as fast as they did. After our recent snow, it was very scary taking those steps with no handrail. Of course, Rich was there to steady me. Now that worry’s gone. God bless each Lion who volunteered to help us.”