Volunteers Build a Lifeline: A Ramp That Makes Home Safe Again

The front steps of Ms. C’s mobile home in Alexandria were rotting beneath her feet. With limited mobility, she climbed them carefully, afraid of falling. Then her adult daughter moved back home after developing a serious medical condition that required frequent hospital visits and caused severe dizzy spells. Suddenly, both mother and daughter urgently needed a safer way to get in and out of their home—one that would meet their needs now and in the future.

Ms. C and her daughter called Rebuilding Together–AFF to ask whether we build wheelchair ramps. We did—and even better, we had a donated 40-foot aluminum ramp and rails in our storeroom that could work for their home. A site visit by staff and volunteers confirmed the property could accommodate an ADA-compliant ramp.

But this project was anything but simple. Because of the height of the mobile home’s front door, replacing the failing steps with a sturdy platform and new steps required a building permit. An air conditioning compressor in the yard further complicated the platform’s design.

Our staff and volunteers mobilized quickly. A new volunteer with CAD expertise created the site plan and initial drawings, while another volunteer with decades of experience navigating permits and inspections developed multiple versions of the plans for county review. Approval to use the existing concrete slab for three of the platform’s posts required a professional engineer’s load calculations. Thanks to our past board chair Scott Brideau, we secured this $1,000 analysis pro bono.

 

Additional hurdles remained. Gaining approval from Fairfax County for the twelve ramp posts to rest on footpads and pavers, rather than traditional concrete footers, required close coordination with the ramp manufacturer and ongoing communication throughout the permitting process. When the permit was approved, it marked a major milestone and a moment of celebration for our entire team.

We took full advantage of unseasonably warm days in early January. Over five workdays, volunteers dug three footers, built the platform and steps, assembled the ramp and rails, and passed county inspections for footers, framing, and final approval. In total, fifteen volunteers contributed 169 hours to make this ramp a reality. Special thanks to Bill Marshall, Marvin Greenberg, Jim Dillon, and Lou Wood for leading the design and construction and supporting our staff throughout the project.

Today, Ms. C and her daughter can safely come and go from their home with confidence. And our work isn’t finished. Once the snow melts, another Rebuilding Together–AFF team will return to repair a fallen gutter and downspout and complete additional health and safety repairs inside their home.

Ramp under construction

completed ramp

David Throckmorton

Team Leader Profile – David Throckmorton

David sitting on the stairs during a stairlift installationAerospace Engineer Brings Skills Down to Earth 

Repairing homes isn’t rocket science, but Rebuilding Together-AFF Team Leader David Throckmorton has made good use of his aerospace career. 

Inspired by the Apollo moon missions while growing up in Richmond and Charlottesville, Va., David majored in aerospace engineering at Virginia Tech and later earned a master’s in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins.  

As a civilian employee of the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command and the Defense Department’s Missile Defense Agency, David worked on developing the F-35 and F-18 fighter jets and advanced GPS-guided bombs. As a systems integrator, he worked with defense contractors’ mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure that the jets, their weapons and other components worked smoothly together. 

Later as a program manager for the Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, he worked with contractors developing ground vibration sensors for border areas that could distinguish between human and animal footsteps. 

The experience managing complex projects has served David well since becoming an RT-AFF Team Leader in 2024. Team leaders do assessments of needed repairs at clients’ homes, prepare work plans, assemble needed supplies and tools, and supervise a team’s work. In 2025, David took on additional responsibilities assessing homes needing stairlifts, scheduling the work, and managing installations with Lou Wood, an RT-AFF volunteer who refurbishes donated stairlifts. 

3 photos of David workingWide-ranging volunteering 

Since retiring in 2016, David has volunteered for a diverse variety of community services in addition to RT-AFF. 

“After retirement, I wanted to do things with my hands and things that challenged my brain,” he says. That desire led to serving four years on a backup call center for the national suicide hotline—staffing an early morning shift on Tuesdays—and one year with the Fairfax County domestic violence hotline. He also tutored students at the Fairfax County Adult High School. 

David has volunteered for eight years teaching computer skills for Northern Virginia Family Services Training Futures, which provides office skills and career training. And he helps his wife Debbie, who co-manages a food pantry at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Annandale. 

David’s many volunteer activities earned him a 2024 Privilege Award for Outstanding Community Service from the Bernie L. Bates Foundation. The awards recognize Fairfax citizens who embody the values of the late Marion “Barney” Barnwell, a longtime RT-AFF board member and volunteer with many other Northern Virginia nonprofits  

Like many RT-AFF volunteers, David acquired do-it-yourself skills working on his home—an Alexandria, Va., condo where he remodeled the kitchen and bathroom. He first volunteered for the Alexandria Rebuilding Together chapter, then transferred to RT-AFF in 2021 when the Alexandria chapter paused operations during the Covid pandemic. 

What initially attracted David to Rebuilding Together was “doing hands-on stuff, but the other part of it was I get to do things for folks my parents’ age that I can’t do for them because they live 100 miles away.” 

Removing trip hazards on stairs, porches and decks are among the most useful repairs made for clients, he says. “It’s amazing to me how much a second handrail [on stairs] means to people. I’ve done it for my sister-in-law and parents. I recommend to anybody: Before you start thinking about moving, put in a second handrail.” Stairlifts are also impactful, especially in older Arlington homes where the bathroom is upstairs. 

What David finds most gratifying about volunteering for RT-AFF is “the homeowners’ thank-you’s at the end. The folks we help cannot really afford these improvements and are just so appreciative of everything we do. 

“It’s enjoyable just to be out with the team of people. You get to learn some stuff, and you get to help somebody.” 

three photos of David working

Links: 

Behind the Scenes with Lou Wood – RT-AFF Stair Lift Expert 

https://rebuildingtogether-aff.org/behind-the-scenes-with-lou-wood-rt-aff-stair-lift-expert/ 

Fairfax County Adult High School 

https://www.fcps.edu/academics/alternative-and-nontraditional-schools/fairfax-county-adult-high-school 

Northern Virginia Family Services Training Futures 

https://www.nvfs.org/assistance/training-futures 

St. Matthew’s Ken Jackson Food Closet 

https://www.stmatthewsumc.org/mission 

The 3rd Annual Privilege Awards and Community Recognition Celebration 

https://www.blbinc.org/post/the-3rd-annual-privilege-awards-and-community-recognition-celebration 

 

 

Year in Review 2025

2025 Year in Review

As we begin 2026, we’re taking a moment to look back on the progress, partnerships, and people that shaped our work throughout 2025. Our 2025 Year in Review captures the milestones we reached together and the impact made possible through the collective efforts of our community. We’re proud to share this with you—stories and data that reflect not only what we accomplished, but why it matters as we move forward.

 

 

Bill Marshall’s Impact at Rebuilding Together AFF

After retiring from a successful home-building career, Bill Marshall was eager for a new way to channel his energy and expertise. He found the perfect fit with Rebuilding Together Arlington/Fairfax/Falls Church (RT-AFF) through Volunteer Arlington and quickly became a dedicated member of our Rebuilding Together Express (RT Express) program. Bill’s extensive background in construction and business management made an immediate difference and he became an active member of our Board of Directors as well as Chair of the Program Committee. During his six-year tenure on the Board, he played a vital role in shaping RT-AFF’s repair and modification initiatives.

“Bill was instrumental in leading RT-AFF’s repair program through the pandemic,” said Executive Director Patti Klein. “He worked in partnership with staff to develop a solid plan to implement COVID safety protocols, allowing a small group of our most experienced RT Express volunteers to continue making critical home repairs for those in need.”

Beyond his leadership on the board, Bill has worked on more than 120 homes, improving the lives of countless neighbors. He has also designed and led teams in building more than 15 wheelchair ramps—one of the most transformative modifications for homeowners with mobility challenges.

Bill was especially touched by a project he led in Arlington, where a team of volunteers modified a bathroom in a small home to make it fully accessible for twins with disabilities. This transformation gave them the independence to use the bathroom on their own as they grew into their teen years.

Reflecting on his service, Bill shared, “I am grateful for my time on the RT-AFF board. My experience running my own construction business and serving on other boards allowed me to contribute meaningfully. The Jesuits in high school instilled in me the belief that we should be ‘men (and women) for others,’ and I’m proud to uphold that value with this incredible organization.”

Though stepping down from the board, Bill remains deeply committed to RT-AFF’s mission. As an RT Express team leader, he’s continuing to roll up his sleeves to help homeowners in need. “It’s amazing what a small group of volunteers can accomplish in just a few hours with a few hundred dollars in materials,” he said. “I’m constantly impressed by the impact we make, the camaraderie we share, and the dedication of everyone involved.”

We are incredibly grateful for Bill’s leadership and ongoing contributions. His work continues to make a lasting difference, and we look forward to seeing him in action with our RT Express program for years to come.

 

Celebrating our 500th Rebuilding Together Express Project

Volunteers with homeowner on stepsRebuilding Together-AFF recently celebrated the completion of its 500th RT Express project, a significant milestone for a program that now makes up two-thirds of our total work. The steady need for repairs within our standard RT Express service list has not only allowed us to assist more homeowners but has also helped us build a dedicated base of individual volunteers. These volunteers contribute regularly and continually hone their skills, becoming highly proficient in delivering our most common repairs.

In 2014, we faced a pressing challenge: many homeowners in need of minor repairs and safety modifications couldn’t wait months for National Rebuilding Day or for a match with a corporate team. Recognizing the urgency, we used seed funding from The Falls Church Episcopal to develop a faster, more efficient solution. With additional support from the Northern Virginia Health Foundation, we defined, tested, and refined what became Rebuilding Together Express (RT Express)—a program designed to deliver essential health and safety repairs and accessibility modifications for people with disabilities and older people who want to age in place.

How RT Express Works:

Small teams of 4-5 volunteers dedicate 4-5 hours and about $400-$500 in materials to provide a range of approximately 40 common home modifications and repairs. These repairs are tailored to each homeowner’s needs and based on a thorough assessment of the home. RT Express enables Rebuilding Together-AFF to respond more quickly to homeowners facing urgent risks, such as falls or other safety concerns.

The Key to Success: Volunteer Team Leaders

Our volunteer team leaders are the cornerstone of RT Express. They:

  • Conduct home assessments with staff.
  • Develop realistic scopes of work.
  • Purchase materials and assemble tools.
  • Coordinate repairs while ensuring safety for both homeowners and volunteers.
  • Track project outcomes.

After years of relying on six dedicated team leaders, we expanded their ranks to 10 in early 2024, ensuring we can meet growing demand. Our Team Leaders are pictured above.

Recognition and Growth:

In 2018, RT-AFF earned the Commonwealth Council on Aging’s top statewide Best Practices Award for RT Express. Since then, we’ve expanded the program to include additional services such as installing stairlifts and building wheelchair ramps.

Our volunteers describe RT Express projects as deeply fulfilling, while the homeowners we serve express their gratitude with heartfelt hugs and words of appreciation.

Multi-year sponsorships by West Financial Services and Sandy Spring Bank have sustained RT Express and supported its steady growth. 

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2024 in Review

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible volunteers, partners, and donors for making our 2024 fiscal year a resounding success. Together, we are building safer, more affordable, and thriving communities for neighbors in need.

In FY2023, our volunteers contributed an astounding 6,200 hours to complete 117 projects, benefiting 176 individuals living in 110 homes and supporting six non-profit housing organizations. The value of this donated labor amounts to $361,800.

Remarkably, 93% of the households we assisted qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income—families, older adults and people with disabilities who could never afford these essential repairs and modifications without your support.

We couldn’t achieve this impact without you. Take a moment to explore our Year in Review and see how your contributions—whether time, funds, or partnerships—are transforming lives and creating a lasting community impact.

Here’s to another year of meaningful change, together!


 

Partnering with Navy Federal Credit Union to help Veterans and Neighbors in Need

As part of Rebuilding Together’s Veterans at Home program, we partnered with Navy Federal Credit Union to assist Mr. J in Arlington. Approaching his 90th birthday, Mr. J has lived in his cherished Arlington home and neighborhood for 50 years. As he aged, he became unable to manage simple repairs and maintenance. In collaboration with NFCU, volunteers rebuilt his shed door, constructed safe steps from his back deck to his driveway, installed LED lighting in his kitchen and stairway for improved visibility, raised a stair rail, and added a new one to make it safer for him to get to his basement laundry room. The team also painted both inside and outside, addressed overgrown landscaping, and more. The NFCU team, brought some skilled volunteers, who collaborated with RT-AFF volunteers on the carpentry projects. Other NFCU volunteers learned how to make safety modifications and repairs on the job, with the assistance of RT-AFF skilled volunteers.
RT-AFF has a longstanding partnership with NFCU, having worked on over 30 projects in our area, including homes, nonprofit organizations, schools, and the United Service Organization (USO) Warrior and Family Center at Fort Belvoir which serves injured and ill soldiers and Veterans, families and caregivers (and is the largest USO in the world). We are thrilled that NFCU has joined forces with RT nationally, assisting three veteran homeowners this fall: Mr. J in Arlington, a homeowner in Dallas, and another in Atlanta. We look forward to continuing this great partnership that encourages NFCU employees to dedicate time to community service.

2023 Year in Review

We want to thank all of our amazing volunteers, partners and donors for helping us make our 2023 fiscal year a great success. Together we are contributing to the solution for safe, affordable and thriving communities for our neighbors in need. Our in FY2023 our volunteers gave 6,924 hours to help us complete 117 projects. We assisted 181 people living in 110 homes, and seven non-profit housing organizations. Our volunteers’ donated labor is valued at $356,134.

85% of the households we helped last year qualify as Very Low or Extremely Low income and could never afford these vital repairs and modifications on their own. We truly could not do this without your support.  Please take a few minutes to read our Year in Review to see how our services have touched many lives this past year and how the efforts of our volunteers, donors and partners add up to a significant community impact. We look forward to another successful year!

 

Rebuilding Together-AFF in the Golden Gazette

The Golden Gazette published a story about RT-AFF in their September issue. This kind of story helps us reach more neighbors in need who can benefit from our repairs and modifications, and helps us recruit new volunteers and supporters. Click the photo to read the article.

 

 

The Golden Gazette is a free monthly community newsletter published by Fairfax County Department of Family Services – Older Adults. The newsletter covers a variety of topics and community news concerning older adults and caregivers. You can subscribe to the email version or have a paper copy mailed to your home (click to visit their website).

Working on the sidewalk

National Rebuilding Day – Three Faith Groups Partner to Assist a Veteran

Pouring and leveling cementNational Rebuilding Day included a variety of rewarding projects undertaken by our faith and corporate partners, including the work King of Kings Lutheran Church accomplished for Mr. W. in Centreville Mr. W. is a Marine Corps veteran who was stationed at Paris Island and Quantico before becoming a business owner in our area. He took care of his wife for many years until she passed away in 2020. Mr. W. took pride in his home but in recent years due to health issues and lack of financial resources he couldn’t keep up with the mounting maintenance and repairs needed to continue to live safely in his home of 56 years.

It Takes a Village

For over 20 years, we have counted on our partner King of Kings Lutheran Church to take on challenging projects.  Due to the breadth of the work needed on this home, team leader Oscar vontwo volunteers Bredow recruited volunteers from Fairfax United Methodist and Christ Presbyterian Churches to partner with his church. In total, 35 volunteers with a range of skills worked over two weekends to make Mr. W’s home safer. The first weekend a smaller group of volunteers cleared out extensive debris from a tree-damaged back porch.

Then on National Rebuilding Day, the larger team worked together to improve access to the house, make safety modifications and repairs, and do a major yard clean-up The volunteers patched the driveway, and spent hours removing the old walkway and building a new walkway to the front steps. The process included hauling bags of cement, running the cement mixer, pouring cement, and leveling and smoothing the cement. They also repaired the steps to the front porch and replaced the porch light so Mr. W. can now safely enter and leave his home.

Inside the house, the work focused on aging-in-place modifications like installing a comfort height toilet and grab bars in the main bathroom; fire safety by installing smoke detectors, changing out the plastic accordion dryer vent to metal ducting and replacing the kitchen exhaust fan to remove grease, smoke and fumes from the kitchen; and tackling a host of other repairs that included installing a new cooktop, replacing the leaking dishwasher, repairing a leaking pipe in the basement, removing old carpet and installing vinyl plank flooring.

Good Work is its Own Reward

With this much work to do, the team ended up spending 10 hours at the house on National Rebuilding Day (NRD), plus additional hours preparing materials and removing debris the week prior to NRD. You can see how our generous volunteers participated in the work with enthusiasm and smiles:

The homeowner’s daughter, who lives in Maryland, expressed her appreciation to the team:

“When you see everyone in church tomorrow who worked so hard on my Dad’s house today, please tell them how VERY MUCH we appreciated everyone’s time! Everyone who came was so helpful, suggestive, kind, friendly, and skillful! Both their talents and graciousness shone through. All worked so hard today, and we appreciate and thank every one of you. Bless you all!”

We’re grateful to our partners at King of Kings Lutheran Church, Fairfax United Methodist Church, and Christ Presbyterian Church and proud of the work they did to ensure that Mr. W. is safe and comfortable in his home.

If you’d like to get involved in supporting a rebuilding project or if you know a homeowner in the area who could use our support, please contact us!

 

Team in front of the house

Please visit our Flickr albums for more photos from this project and all of our National Rebuilding Day 2023 projects.