A local World War II veteran has a new accessibility ramp in his home, thanks to a unique partnership between Loveland City Schools students, Magnified Giving, and Operation Ramp It Up. 99-year-old Llano C. Bell has mobility challenges and had been struggling to get in and out of his home in Sharonville. Bell served as a Navy Seaman First Class from 1944 to 46. 

This week, Loveland Middle School students Corey Neumann, Tony Durham, and Grant Williams helped install a new accessibility ramp to restore Mr. Bell’s ability to get around. Corey, Tony, and Grant not only did some of the labor for the ramp project, but also helped earn the funds to make it possible. 

Students in the Loveland Middle School Hope Squad completed a class assignment to research a local non-profit organization and deliver a compelling presentation about the work that the group accomplishes. Corey, Tony, and Grant selected Operation Ramp It Up, a local group that helps disabled veterans with mobility issues. Their presentation was selected as the winner of a $1,500 grant from Magnified Giving, a local group that empowers local students to give back to their community. The funds from that grant paid for the new ramp for Mr. Bell. 

Congratulations to Cory, Tony, and Grant for launching this life-changing project and seeing it through with the work to actually install the ramp. Thank you to Magnified Giving and Operation Ramp It Up for being great partners on this project. And special thanks to our Loveland staff members, Hope Squad teacher Hillary Pecsok, and paraprofessional Jonathan Franklin, for leading this awesome learning opportunity for students!