John Rohal and Tom Killingsworth

Local Builders Give Thanks to Local War Hero by Providing Free Ram, Fort Myers

Local contractors provide disabled veteran much-needed wheelchair ramp

John Rohal, 73, has had multiple medical issues over his lifetime. He served in the Vietnam War, airborne division, where he was shot multiple times. He survived the ordeal only to later suffer two debilitating strokes, triple by-pass surgery and most recently a fall that lead to head and vision injury. Despite his struggles, Rohal maintained his construction business up until a few years ago. His mobility continued to worsen and now he frequently uses his wheelchair to get around. Rohal has no way to get in and out of the home that he shares with his wife of 33 years, who also is disabled.

Volunteers sponsored by Builders Care, the charitable agency of the Lee Building Industry Association, constructed a wheelchair ramp for the Rohals.

Harbor Springs Construction and Development provided all of the labor and Shoreline Lumber supplied all of the needed materials to make this happen. Builders Care recycled a portion of a previously constructed ramp to re-use materials and keep extra materials from ending up in a local landfill.

“This is a great project for a man that served our country. It is our way to show a little thanks to him for what he did,” said Heidi Taulman, executive director of Builders Care. “We are so thankful for the support of the local building industry to be able to provide this to a local hero in need.”

Builders Care is the nonprofit charitable arm of the Lee Building Industry Association (BIA). Its objective is to provide emergency repairs and construction services to elderly, disabled and economically disadvantaged people who are unable to obtain home repairs through traditional means. Builder’s Care enlists the volunteer services of Lee BIA members and leverages grants and donated materials to provide construction and remodeling services to qualified homeowners throughout Lee County. Most recent top corporate sponsors include Armadillo Underground and Real Estate Investment Society. Builders Care is headquartered at the Lee BIA offices at 4210 Metro Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers FL 33916. Donations can be made online at www.LeeBuildersCare.org, or to the Builders Care general fund at BB&T (formerly Colonial Bank) Page Field branch at 4959 South Cleveland Avenue in Fort Myers. More information is available by calling 239-938-0056.

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