In a heart‑warming display of community service, members of the Cincinnati Bengals gathered on Saturday to build a wheelchair‑accessible ramp for local Army veteran Ken Wackenthaler. The effort was part of Operation Ramp It Up, a nonprofit that partners with volunteers to improve the quality of life for veterans across the nation.
Veteran’s needs inspire local heroes
Wackenthaler, a Navy veteran who now lives in the Cincinnati area with his wife, has long been a devoted Bengals fan. “The ramp will protect him and his wife when they move in and out of the house,” a spokesperson for Operation Ramp It Up explained. “It gives them independence and safety that they deserve after years of service to our country.”
Players and staff roll up their sleeves
Offensive lineman Dalton Risner, fresh from a road win over the Baltimore Ravens, led the construction crew. “We’re building a ramp for a guy to be able to get in and out of his house much easier,” Risner said. “He’s an Army veteran, a military veteran, and served our country. So, it’s the least that we could do to come out here for an hour to help build a ramp.”
Alongside Risner, several other players, coaches, cheerleaders and Bengals staff members joined local volunteers. The group worked for roughly an hour, measuring, cutting and assembling the wooden ramp before securing it to the home’s entrance.
Community partnership in its sixth year
This project marks the sixth year of the Bengals’ partnership with Operation Ramp It Up. The team’s Salute to Service program has a long history of supporting veterans through charitable events, fundraisers and hands‑on projects like this one. “Serving the Cincinnati community and fans like Ken is what it’s all about,” Risner added.
Wackenthaler expressed deep gratitude for the Bengals’ involvement. “I’ve been watching them for a long time, good days, bad days, but they hang in there,” he said. “Seeing them here, helping us, means a lot to my family and me.”
Why local involvement matters
For many Cincinnati residents, the Bengals are more than a football team; they are a civic partner that helps address real‑world needs. Projects such as this ramp not only provide practical assistance to veterans but also reinforce the values of service, family and faith that bind the community together.
Operation Ramp It Up encourages other neighborhoods to apply for similar assistance. Interested parties can find application details on the organization’s website, which outlines the process for requesting a ramp or other home‑modification projects.
Looking ahead
As the Bengals continue their season, the team plans to maintain its focus on community outreach, especially for those who have sacrificed for the nation. The ramp project stands as a tangible reminder that when a city’s beloved sports franchise steps off the field, it can still make a lasting impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
For more information about Operation Ramp It Up and how to volunteer or apply for a home‑modification project, visit operationrampitup.org.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
