LAUREL HILL — A disabled World War II Navy veteran now has easier access to his home after three area churches helped build a ramp for him.
First United Methodist Church of Crestview’s United Methodist Men built the wooden ramp for Mickey Givens’ home south of Almarante Cemetery using funds donated by Laurel Hill Presbyterian and Hopewell Methodist Church.
"Mickey loves his ramp," Anne Campbell, who frequently delivers donated food to Givens, said. "He is so appreciative."
The United Methodist Men constructed the ramp on May 11, dodging rain as they worked.
"We had about 11 of us up there," Woot Campbell, Anne’s husband, said. "We got it done in half a day."
"That's a real fine ramp. I was real surprised when the churches got together and put it up," Givens said. "They did a 4-0 job. In the Navy, that's as good as it gets."
Givens was hospitalized in January following a fall in his home and spent three months rehabilitating before returning to Laurel Hill three weeks ago.
It had been difficult for Givens to climb up or down five steps leading to his front door.
Givens and seven of his brothers simultaneously served in the Navy in World War II. He believes that is a record for number of siblings in the same branch of the service at the same time.
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Three churches build ramp for disabled WWII vet