Executive Director: Jeff Kerby
Jeff is a Lieutenant Colonel in the South Carolina Army National Guard with 29 years of service including tours in Afghanistan,Saudi Arabia,and Kuwait. He is a Physician Assistant at Lexington Family Practice in West Columbia, South Carolina. He is married to Trish Kerby. They have two adult children: Kristen and Cameron.
He is a member of the Lexington Church of Christ and an associate member at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church.
"My parents always taught me to leave it better than you found it - no matter what 'it' is; your workplace, your neighborhood, your church. As EmmanuWheel continues to grow, more and more of us are able to leave the world of the mobility-impaired a better place. The Kingdom of God we represent rolls right up the new ramp and into a client's home and we leave it better than we found it. How blessed we are to find that sense of purpose."
He is a member of the Lexington Church of Christ and an associate member at Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church.
"My parents always taught me to leave it better than you found it - no matter what 'it' is; your workplace, your neighborhood, your church. As EmmanuWheel continues to grow, more and more of us are able to leave the world of the mobility-impaired a better place. The Kingdom of God we represent rolls right up the new ramp and into a client's home and we leave it better than we found it. How blessed we are to find that sense of purpose."
Congratulations to our Executive Director!
Jeff Kerby was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal in September 2014. His award says, "For outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained,direct,and consequential nature. LTC Kerby volunteers his time and effort to build wheelchair ramps for disabled civilians with the EmmanuWheel ministry. Since February 2010 LTC Kerby's organization has provided approximately 55 ramps per year for the community. LTC Kerby has volunteered more than 20 hours a week since founding the organization. His dedication and selfless service to the community reflect great credit upon himself,the Army,and the Department of Defense."
Board Member: Jimmy Kirby
Jimmy is a service engineer for one of South Carolinas largest health care providers. He is married and has two wonderful daughters. Jimmy is also a member of Lexington Church of Christ.
"I have been involved with EmmanuWheel since the beginning and the satisfaction of seeing the joy on the clients face when they are able to leave the home unassisted is what keeps me going ramp after ramp! Being able to say prayer with the client and the interacting before and after a build is a testament that God is in control of this ministry. Representing the Kingdom of God is performed in so many ways in this world and I am proud to do my part with EmmanuWheel! "
"I have been involved with EmmanuWheel since the beginning and the satisfaction of seeing the joy on the clients face when they are able to leave the home unassisted is what keeps me going ramp after ramp! Being able to say prayer with the client and the interacting before and after a build is a testament that God is in control of this ministry. Representing the Kingdom of God is performed in so many ways in this world and I am proud to do my part with EmmanuWheel! "
Board Member: Tom Dominick
Tom is a retired Chemical Engineer who spent most of his professional life in Baton Rouge,Louisiana. He has worked for Ciba Geigy Corporation, Ethyl Corp, and Albermarle and is a former Air Force Officer. He is a graduate of LSU. He earned his MBA in 1985. His work has included international marketing and sales including assignments in Tokyo and Germany, a period as the developer and implementer of a corporate quality management process reporting to the company president, a stint as a plant manager, and as VP new products, a stint as Albemarle’s regional managing director Asia Pacific operations, and an assignment to Brussels, Belgium as Albemarle’s regional managing director of operations for Europe. He was also on the design team for the B-1 Bomber. In March of 2002 a major brain hemorrhage resulted in left hemiplegia and wheelchair confinement. He and his wife Joan moved to Lexington, South Carolina to be nearer to their youngest son and enjoy beautiful Lake Murray. They are members of the Lexington Church of Christ.
"Being a board member for EmmanuWheel gives me the opportunity to participate in the important work the organization does in spite of my physical limitations. Being confined to a wheelchair gives me a hands on perspective of the impact of the projects on the lives of people who are having a rough patch in their existence. In addition it gives me routine business like contact with other results -oriented christian people; good for me as well as providing needed help to others."
"Being a board member for EmmanuWheel gives me the opportunity to participate in the important work the organization does in spite of my physical limitations. Being confined to a wheelchair gives me a hands on perspective of the impact of the projects on the lives of people who are having a rough patch in their existence. In addition it gives me routine business like contact with other results -oriented christian people; good for me as well as providing needed help to others."
Board Member: Robert Storey
Robbie was blessed with a wonderful 38 year career in the South Carolina Army National Guard. He worked full time at the Combined Support Maintenance Shop as a warrant officer while serving as Maintenance Supervisor and the Shop Foreman. He has been married to Sandra Storey for over 41 years. They have 2 daughters and 1 grand-daughter. Robbie and Sandy are members of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church.
Ed Hartung invited my wife and I to join him and help start a wheel chair ministry at Mt. Horeb. God truly blessed us when He brought Ed to Mt Horeb and led Him to us. Even though we were together for only a short 18 month period, it was truly a blessing for us and a honor and a privilege to serve on Ed's team. Serving others in need is small way for us to give back for all the blessings given to us from God.
Ed, I thank you for being my mentor, my inspiration and for planting the seed (Wheel Chair Ramp Ministry) in me. God, I also thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as a board member with EmmanuWheel.
Board Member: Charlotte Hartung
When I was asked to be on the EmmanuWheel Board of Directors, I did not hesitate to accept. My beloved husband, Ed Hartung, entered the kingdom of heaven on May, 9. 2012. Ed was passionate about building wheelchair ramps for those in need. He started building ramps in Tulsa, OK. His team built a ramp most every week for 12 years. They are still going strong! When we moved back to SC in 2008, Ed knew that something was missing in his life! Presto – Jeff Kerby and Ed connected and became bonded Christian brothers. It is a priority for me and my children to keep Ed’s legacy moving forward.
God has a plan for all of us and I pray that I will listen to Him and follow the right track. I work part time for Weight Watchers and I am involved in many areas at my church, Mt. Horeb United Methodist. I have six grandchildren – such a joy in my life. God has blessed our family and I pray that I will be a good and faithful servant!
God has a plan for all of us and I pray that I will listen to Him and follow the right track. I work part time for Weight Watchers and I am involved in many areas at my church, Mt. Horeb United Methodist. I have six grandchildren – such a joy in my life. God has blessed our family and I pray that I will be a good and faithful servant!
Board Member: Rick Chamberlain
Rick is the Engineering Team Lead for the North American Utility division of General Cable Corporation headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky. His 19 year cable career began with Pirelli Cables in Lexington, South Carolina and has taken him to Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, British Columbia, and now Kentucky. He has three adult children and ten grandchildren and is a member of the Lexington Church of Christ.
“I travel a good bit with my job but always relish the time coming home to my family and church family in Lexington. I have only been able to help build a couple of ramps at this point, but certainly believe in the mission and focus of EmmanuWheel. I think it is important, no vital, for people who have been given the blessings of health and resources to share with those in need, sometimes without either. God has already blessed these efforts and I believe he will continue to do so as long as we give him the glory and keep doing what we can and should.”
“I travel a good bit with my job but always relish the time coming home to my family and church family in Lexington. I have only been able to help build a couple of ramps at this point, but certainly believe in the mission and focus of EmmanuWheel. I think it is important, no vital, for people who have been given the blessings of health and resources to share with those in need, sometimes without either. God has already blessed these efforts and I believe he will continue to do so as long as we give him the glory and keep doing what we can and should.”
Board Member/Team Leader: Chris Sharpe
Chris has been working in the printing industry for over 20 years, doing everything from graphic logo design to operation and repair of printing presses and bindery equipment. He now works as Production Manager for a wholesale, trade printing corporation in Columbia, SC. He has lived in Lexington, SC his whole life, and is happily married with two boys. He also serves on the Board and as a Mentoring Coach for "Mats 2 Men", a wrestling outreach targeting boys (K - 6th grade) that are growing up in impoverished and broken homes.
"It is amazing to me what God can do when you just make yourself available to do His work. Emmanuwheel is a wonderful way to take part in a one-day missions trip that may be right next door. It is such a joy to work shoulder to shoulder with my brothers in Christ as we represent Jesus to those in need."
"It is amazing to me what God can do when you just make yourself available to do His work. Emmanuwheel is a wonderful way to take part in a one-day missions trip that may be right next door. It is such a joy to work shoulder to shoulder with my brothers in Christ as we represent Jesus to those in need."
Team Leader: Cindy Cox
Cindy is a Clemson University engineering grad who spent 20 years working at the DOE Savannah River Site in engineering, management and training/instructor positions. She retired 15 years ago to take up her true and greatest vocation - to raise her children. Cindy has spent these years as a Stay At Home Mom, consultant and volunteer.
She is mother to Laura and Leigh Ann and wife to Mark. Cindy is a member of the Lexington Church of Christ.
" I love my team – we are an all girl team made up primarily of the girls in our youth group. It is a true gift from God to bless others with a ramp and the girls with the experience and confidence they get from these builds!"
She is mother to Laura and Leigh Ann and wife to Mark. Cindy is a member of the Lexington Church of Christ.
" I love my team – we are an all girl team made up primarily of the girls in our youth group. It is a true gift from God to bless others with a ramp and the girls with the experience and confidence they get from these builds!"
Team Leader: Ken Bickel
Ken Bickel is a sales representative with a large Financial Services company based out of Troy Michigan. He is a 1981 graduate of Virginia Tech and has lived his adult life in South Carolina. Ken is married to Donna and has one son, Casey. He is a member of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church.
"Taking over for Ed was a real 'stepping out of the boat' experience for me. Ed was so knowlegable and gracious with all the ramp clients and volunteers. He loved the Lord and was a beacon to all who worked with him in the ramp ministry. I felt I couldn't fill his shoes but I also felt the best way to honor Ed would be to step up to insure his beloved ramp ministry kept up the work of the Lord. Thankfully I have great volunteers who have stepped up to make the job a most rewarding experience.
I love our volunteers who work so hard to find a way to help any way possible. The ramp ministry gives us all the opportunity to serve as Christ's disciples in our community.
"Taking over for Ed was a real 'stepping out of the boat' experience for me. Ed was so knowlegable and gracious with all the ramp clients and volunteers. He loved the Lord and was a beacon to all who worked with him in the ramp ministry. I felt I couldn't fill his shoes but I also felt the best way to honor Ed would be to step up to insure his beloved ramp ministry kept up the work of the Lord. Thankfully I have great volunteers who have stepped up to make the job a most rewarding experience.
I love our volunteers who work so hard to find a way to help any way possible. The ramp ministry gives us all the opportunity to serve as Christ's disciples in our community.
Team Leader: Colin Jeffcoat
Colin 'C.J.' Jeffcoat IV is blessed with a beautiful and wonderful wife, Sugar. Together they have four children.
Colin is currently a full time student working towards dual degrees, one in nursing and another in healthcare management. He works with a publishing firm, N2 Publishing, in putting together high end publications for the more affluent neighborhoods around the Columbia area.
God has blessed Colin to be involved in giving back to his community in various ways, such as working with the youth at his church, Kittiwake Baptist. He also serves as a deacon as well as serving on the church finance committee. Colin is blessed and enjoys the work with Emmanuwheel in giving back to those in the community whom cannot do for themselves.
Colin is currently a full time student working towards dual degrees, one in nursing and another in healthcare management. He works with a publishing firm, N2 Publishing, in putting together high end publications for the more affluent neighborhoods around the Columbia area.
God has blessed Colin to be involved in giving back to his community in various ways, such as working with the youth at his church, Kittiwake Baptist. He also serves as a deacon as well as serving on the church finance committee. Colin is blessed and enjoys the work with Emmanuwheel in giving back to those in the community whom cannot do for themselves.
Team Leader: Matthew MacDonald
Matthew MacDonald grew up in Buffalo, NY. He has a beautiful wife, Erin, and 3 wonderful children.
He studied Electronics Engineering, and is currently working as a Radiology Engineer. In his spare time he enjoys biking, fishing, hunting, guitar and spending time with his children. He is an animal lover, and frequently fosters dogs through various rescue agencies. He is very grateful to be a part of EmmanuWheel and gets much satisfaction from helping those in need.
He studied Electronics Engineering, and is currently working as a Radiology Engineer. In his spare time he enjoys biking, fishing, hunting, guitar and spending time with his children. He is an animal lover, and frequently fosters dogs through various rescue agencies. He is very grateful to be a part of EmmanuWheel and gets much satisfaction from helping those in need.
Client Intake Coordinator: Dafiney Baker
Dafiney Baker is a nurse at Lexington Family Practice. She has worked in the nursing field for over 10 years. Dafiney is married to First Sergeant Jeff Baker; they have been married for 16 years. Dafiney and Jeff have 15-year-old twin girls.
Dafiney's first experience with EmmanuWheel was in December 2012. Her family joined Jeff Kerby and a group of volunteers build a ramp for a wounded soldier. Dafiney currently serves as the Client Intake Coordinator for EmmanuWheel. In her time off, Dafiney enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her children. She is very excited to be a part of EmmanuWheel and is appreciative to be able to do God’s work.
Dafiney's first experience with EmmanuWheel was in December 2012. Her family joined Jeff Kerby and a group of volunteers build a ramp for a wounded soldier. Dafiney currently serves as the Client Intake Coordinator for EmmanuWheel. In her time off, Dafiney enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her children. She is very excited to be a part of EmmanuWheel and is appreciative to be able to do God’s work.
