Measuring the space between to two joists on a ramp under construction at a Blanchard-area home Wednesday, Tony Brown called out for a block of wood to keep the joists stable.

Brown, owner of AE Brown Construction and a member of the Home Builders Association of Central Michigan, was one of several volunteers building a ramp at Gary Himebaugh's house.

Himebaugh has Pick's disease, a rare neurodegenerative condition, and could not get out of his house without being carried.

That changed Wednesday, when Brown and two of his employees, Tony Rausch and Matt Preley; along with Lonnie Smith of Great Lakes Construction, Clay Johnson of Johnson Door and Central Vac Systems and Randy Blodgett banded together to help Himebaugh and his girlfriend, Kay Dell.

"This is better than Christmas," Dell said. "Much better than Christmas."

Dell, whose son typically carried Himebaugh out of the house when needed, called the Isabella County Commission on Aging after Himebaugh became ill.

There, she found financial assistance and a suggestion that she contact the home builders association for help.

Dell spoke to Carmelina Crisci, chief executive officer of the association, who hooked her up with a crew.

To Dell's delight, the men volunteered their services, coming from as far away as Carson City to build the ramp at Himebaugh's ranch home.

Dell said dealing with Crisci and Kathy Campbell of the COA was a wonderful experience, and that the men building the ramp couldn't be a nicer bunch.

"These guys have been really hard at work all day," she said. "This is a godsend.

"This is really wonderful."

Brown said the project was coming together nicely and that members of the home builders association do volunteer work often.

Al Davis Construction designed the ramp and materials were purchased at DeWitt Lumber of Blanchard, Brown said.

Fazzoli's of Mt. Pleasant provided lunch for the workers, Brown said.

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