Building Freedom: SAWs Virginia Transforms Lives, One Ramp at a Time

A dedicated group of volunteers is quietly changing lives one wooden ramp at a time, right here in our backyard. Servants At Work (SAWs) Virginia, a nonprofit organization founded in 2019, builds custom wheelchair ramps for people with ambulatory disabilities who are financially unable to afford such modifications to their homes.

"SAWs Virginia is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that builds custom-designed, wooden wheelchair ramps for persons with long-term, ambulatory disabilities to restore their freedom, independence, and dignity, allowing them to access medical services more easily, improve the safety of their home, reconnect with their community and age-in-place," explains Wayne Murphy, Executive Director of the organization.

Since its founding by Charlie Russell, who has been involved with the parent organization since 2005, SAWs Virginia has constructed over 180 ramps throughout the region, serving residents in Fredericksburg City, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford Counties.

A Mission of Independence

A simple set of stairs can become an insurmountable barrier for many individuals with mobility challenges, effectively trapping them inside their homes. SAWs Virginia's mission addresses this challenge directly, focusing on restoring freedom and dignity to those in need.

The need is significant. According to data shared by the organization, in 2018, approximately 8% of Virginians reported having an ambulatory disability. Within Planning District 16 alone, this represents thousands of individuals: 2,436 in Caroline County, 2,070 in Fredericksburg City, 1,769 in King George County, 10,509 in Spotsylvania County, and 8,945 in Stafford County.

"The majority of our clients are over 55 years old and are unable to leave their homes without assistance," Keith Dye, Operations Manager, says. "At times, they call 911 when they are in great need to leave their homes to receive medical care." Many clients have explained that they rely on a complex network of family and friends to carry them from their homes for routine medical appointments. Many have not been outside their homes in months or longer.

The Volunteer Experience

Mark Maiocco, a Project Manager who joined SAWs in 2023, discovered the organization at the 2022 Whiskey and Wood Festival. After witnessing the impact of his first build, he was hooked.

"The family desperately needed a ramp—the elderly father was weakened by heart disease, the elderly mother was wheelchair bound as was the son, a double amputee," Maiocco recalls. "Seeing the joy at their new-found freedom tore at my heart. I had been looking for a way to give back through volunteering in my retirement, and SAWs was a perfect fit."

This transformative experience is common among volunteers. Ben Raterman, another Project Manager, eloquently describes the emotional reward of their work: "Once these ramps are completed and the recipient comes outside to see the finished ramp, their eyes glimmer, and their cheeks rise to a smile that communicates their appreciation and their knowledge that tomorrow will be better for them than yesterday. That kind of 'thank you' needs no words."

What makes SAWs unique is its volunteer-driven model. The organization has over 200 registered volunteers who come from diverse backgrounds but share a common mission. The ramps are prefabricated in a Fredericksburg shop and then transported to worksites for assembly under the guidance of experienced Project Managers. 

Currently, most volunteers are men, but plenty of women, like Vicky Maiocco, enjoy the work and the "down-to-business" vibes. "I love working with the SAWs guys," explains Vicky. "There's no gossip, no chit-chat– they arrive, say hi, do the work, say goodbye, and leave," she laughs.

"What immediately impressed me with SAWs was the sense of teamwork and shared mission without any trace of ego," adds Mark Maiocco. "Since many SAWs volunteers are either working or retired engineers, there is a constant drive toward improvement or efficiency, reducing waste and increasing our donor's return on investment. Everyone is open to new ideas!"

More Than Just Ramps

The impact of SAWs extends beyond accessibility. Their ramps improve safety—the National Fire Protection Association estimates that physical disability was a factor in an average of 18% of home fire deaths per year from 2015 to 2019. Additionally, the ramps allow clients to remain in their homes rather than moving to institutional care facilities.

The organization serves a diverse clientele: 62% female and 36% male, with 58% identifying as White, 30% as Black, and smaller percentages representing other racial backgrounds. Age-wise, the majority (85%) are over 55, with 19% being over 81 years old.

SAWs Virginia continues to grow, with applications now coming from beyond their original service area. As they expand, they maintain their core philosophy. As Tai Mamea sums up: "SAWs is part of our community. We are here to serve our neighbors in need."

For those interested in volunteering, the organization emphasizes that no experience is necessary. "If someone can hold a drill, we can teach them how to use it," Jon Widener iterates, inviting community members to register on their website (sawsva.org) and select from weekly posted jobs—most requiring only three or four hours of time but offering the chance to "change a life in a few hours." SAWs Virginia can be followed on social media as well using the handle @SAWsVA. 

In a Fredericksburg workshop, a group of dedicated volunteers are doing more than just building wooden ramps— they're restoring freedom, independence, and dignity to individuals with long-term mobility challenges.