An elderly Lawrence resident will have an easier way to get around on Christmas, thanks to a Kansas University fraternity.

Nearly 60 members of Pi Kappa Phi spent most of the day Saturday building a wheelchair ramp onto the man’s trailer.

“We’re just making his home a little bit more accessible,” said Brian Smith, fraternity member and project organizer.

The resident, who lives in the Pine Hills Manufactured Home Community, 101 Mich., is a stranger to the volunteers. Smith said the man is hospitalized and wouldn’t have a way to get out of his house when he returns, “unless of course you pop a wheelie, which is kind of dangerous to do if you’re 75, 80 years old.”

The project was part of the fraternity’s national philanthropy, Push America, which helps raise awareness about people with disabilities.

The organization will reimburse the group for the wood, Smith said.

“For me, it means a lot because I have a physical disability as well,” said Smith, who has cerebral palsy, which affects the left side of his body and prevents him from lifting and causes his left foot to drag behind.

“He’s just like any other person you’re going to meet, it’s just he happens to have a disability,” said Kyle Wilmoth, fraternity brother.

Fraternity members worked on a rotating schedule Saturday, some hammering, some digging, some measuring and others cutting.

“It’s good to come out and help someone in the community,” said Wilmoth, shovel in hand.

Ryan Gegen, the fraternity brother who appeared to be the most savvy with construction work, said he designed the deck with a computer program.

“He’ll have a whole lot easier way of getting into his home than he did with his stairs,” said Gegen, while precisely measuring a board and cutting it in two.

“Hopefully, he’ll be able to use this for many years and this will make his life a lot better,” Wilmoth said.