Founder: Jeff Kerby
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The EmmanuWheel Board of Directors would like to thank Jeff Kerby for seven years of extraordinary service with the EmmanuWheel ministry. We would not exist without his vision, drive, determination and tireless employment of many talents that helped get this ministry off of the ground from inception, to infancy, to a steady, thriving ministry today providing between 40-50 ramps per year to mobility-impaired individuals who cannot afford to provide proper access to their dwellings.
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Executive Director and Team Leader Mentor: Chris Sharpe
Chris Sharpe, Director for EmmanuWheel, has enjoyed first volunteering since it began in 2009, and now working for the ministry as Managing Director since 2019. He feels blessed to be chosen by God and mentored by Jeff Kerby, the founder of EmmanuWheel, for this position where he shares the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel with those in need and often in a very desperate situation.
Throughout Chris' life, God has been preparing him for this position by providing opportunities to learn carpentry skills, receiving education in design, leading and teaching discipleship groups for adults and teenagers, and caring for his own 3 now adult children with his childhood sweetheart and wife since 1996, Sonja. Striving to be a servant of God, being the hands that build and teach, having the eyes of a father that watches over his volunteers to lead them in ministry and the feet that are willing to follow his Holy Fathers lead.
“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 mission trip that may be right next door. It is such a joy to work shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we represent Jesus to those in need.”
Throughout Chris' life, God has been preparing him for this position by providing opportunities to learn carpentry skills, receiving education in design, leading and teaching discipleship groups for adults and teenagers, and caring for his own 3 now adult children with his childhood sweetheart and wife since 1996, Sonja. Striving to be a servant of God, being the hands that build and teach, having the eyes of a father that watches over his volunteers to lead them in ministry and the feet that are willing to follow his Holy Fathers lead.
“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 mission trip that may be right next door. It is such a joy to work shoulder to shoulder with my brothers and sisters in Christ as we represent Jesus to those in need.”
Board Chair: Bob Groomes
Robert (Bob) served his country in the military for 21 years. After retiring, he worked for the South Carolina Department of Transportation as a worker, leadsman, supervisor, OSHA safety officer, and environmental health manager for 18 years.
Bob and his wife are members of Mount Horeb Church where they both serve in various capacities. Bob has been a member of the Mt. Horeb EmmanuWheel ramp team since 2011. He loves the Lord, loves meeting and helping people.
Bob looks forward to working with the Board and to using his experience and desire to do God’s work.
Bob and his wife are members of Mount Horeb Church where they both serve in various capacities. Bob has been a member of the Mt. Horeb EmmanuWheel ramp team since 2011. He loves the Lord, loves meeting and helping people.
Bob looks forward to working with the Board and to using his experience and desire to do God’s work.
Board Member and Fundraising Chair: Donna Groomes
Donna is a retired accountant/payroll specialist with over 40 years of experience in the workforce. She is married to Robert (Bob) Groomes, and they are members of Mt. Horeb Church. Bob is a volunteer with the EmmanuWheel team at Mt. Horeb and Donna teaches a Sunday School class and volunteers with the Senior Adult Ministry. Donna and Bob, between them, are the proud parents of four children and Gram and Grandpa to five adorable grandchildren.
“When Bob and I first visited Mt. Horeb before we joined, he was excited about the church’s involvement with EmmanuWheel and was privileged to work on several ramps with the late Ed Hartung. Ed’s wife, Char, is so passionate about EW, and between her and Bob, my interest in the organization grew. I am excited to be a new board member and blessed by the many wonderful volunteers who give their time and talents to show Jesus to the world.”
“When Bob and I first visited Mt. Horeb before we joined, he was excited about the church’s involvement with EmmanuWheel and was privileged to work on several ramps with the late Ed Hartung. Ed’s wife, Char, is so passionate about EW, and between her and Bob, my interest in the organization grew. I am excited to be a new board member and blessed by the many wonderful volunteers who give their time and talents to show Jesus to the world.”
Board Member: Franco Shaw
Franco Shaw, A native of South Carolina, has been an active participant of Mount Horeb Church since 2011. A man who seeks to show himself approved unto God, "a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth". Affectionately known as “Frisco” to many of his family and friends, Franco is a man of few words and much action. A request for assistance or participation rarely goes void. His desire to be God’s helping hands as best he can has led to his involvement in many areas. Franco has been a proud and successful owner of Shaw Pow’r Clean, an automotive and home services company, since 2003. A father of two and grandfather of one, he loves to spend time with his family and friends. Those who know him best are amazed at his genuineness of spirit, generosity of heart, and wisdom of soul. A man who exhibits both the gentleness of a lamb and the ferocity of a lion, Franco advocates and is protective of those who are least able to do so for themselves.
Board Member and Team Leader: Les Groom
Les is a retired sales professional who loves the Lord, loves people, and loves exhorting people on to good works and to being their best. Les is a member of Kittiwake Baptist Church and has been building ramps for the past 5 years. He leads the ‘Grey Team’ - a men’s ministry of grey-headed retirees who build ramps during the week. The Grey Team’s ministry is first to encourage one another and to have fun in the process. The Bible says, “the world will know you by your love one to another”. Second, to build the ramps with our skills and with all of our hearts. The Word says to “do all things as unto the Lord” through God’s love being made manifest in us, going out and sharing that love with the world through our words and actions. The Word says for us to have faith, hope and charity (love), and the greatest of these is love. As a Board Member, I look forward to bringing all of my life experiences and heart for this ministry to grow EmannuWheel in exemplifying the love of the Lord through serving our communities and our fellow man.
Board Treasurer and Finance Committee: Ed Martel
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Ed is a business owner and a US Air Force veteran with 15 years experience in business management and 20 years experience in information technology. He is married to Ramona Martel. Ed and Ramona are the proud parents of 3 children and grandparents of eleven! They are members of Kittiwake Baptist Church. Ed was born and raised in Massachusetts, and relocated to South Carolina in 2021.
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Board Member and Finance Committee: Leslie Buzzell
After graduating from Clemson with a degree in accounting, Leslie earned her license as a CPA and worked in that profession for several years. After the birth of her oldest daughter, she switched careers to raise her children, eventually homeschooling them for over 20 years. During that time she also served as treasurer for a number of church bodies and non-profit organizations. A member of Mt. Horeb Church, she has been active as an after-school mentor, child care provider, and member of the choir. Along with her husband, Jon, she has volunteered many times with Mt. Horeb’s EmmanuWheel ramp teams. Leslie loves to travel, read, and spend time with family and friends, is a fitness enthusiast, and recently earned her license as a private pilot.
Board Secretary: Sonja Sharpe
Sonja Sharpe's life is a testament to the power of faith, timing, and the transformative nature of embracing one's God-given gifts. While her artistic journey began in childhood, Sonja's spiritual journey truly blossomed after marrying her husband Chris and starting their family. It was then that she wholeheartedly accepted Christ, understanding that while life isn't always easy, the unwavering love of God provides solace and guidance.
Inspired by Esther 4:14, where Esther's uncle asks, "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?", Sonja embraced the timing of events in her own life, believing that they were divinely orchestrated for a deeper purpose.
Sonja owns a local graphic design and art company. She has worked professionally as an executive secretary and on several boards as secretary, treasurer and interim leader, demonstrating her organizational skills and dedication to community involvement. Sonja lives ready to answer the call and serve for "such a time as this," impacting lives through genuine love, creativity and faith.
Inspired by Esther 4:14, where Esther's uncle asks, "Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?", Sonja embraced the timing of events in her own life, believing that they were divinely orchestrated for a deeper purpose.
Sonja owns a local graphic design and art company. She has worked professionally as an executive secretary and on several boards as secretary, treasurer and interim leader, demonstrating her organizational skills and dedication to community involvement. Sonja lives ready to answer the call and serve for "such a time as this," impacting lives through genuine love, creativity and faith.
Board Member: Ashby Simmons
I am a Columbia, SC native and I work locally as a financial advisor. I attend Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Chapin. I began volunteering for EmmanuWheel years ago under Chris Sharpe. Immediately, this was a ministry which I felt called to continue to be involved. I started to organize volunteer teams of work colleagues to be led by Chris and as time went on, I reached out to him to determine how EmmanuWheel could use me in different ways. My father spent his professional career designing and building mobility devices for the SC Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. The stories he shared with me instilled a desire and appreciation to carry forward that legacy. The amazing work EmmanuWheel is able to orchestrate and complete is a stunning example of how we can be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. I am moved and grateful to be a small part of making such a meaningful difference in improving the lives of those we serve.
Board Member Emeritus: 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."
Mt. Horeb Church Team Leaders: Justin Brown, Andy Gillis, and Joe Pinkham
Radius Saluda Church Team Leader: Mike Harrell
Mike represents Radius Church Saluda. Mike says that he enjoys partnering with EmmanuWheel as it gives him an opportunity to share the gospel with his neighbors. He also indicated that when he builds ramps, he encounters people who REALLY need the ramps. He recalled one ramp build where the recipient was trying to hammer boards himself while in his wheelchair.
Team Leader: Kathleen Rainey
Team Leader: David Rainey
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Kathleen Rainey attends Kittiwake Baptist Church. She enjoys making Jeff Kerby's coffee into iced coffee (ask him). Her hobbies are gardening, bird watching and hunting. Kathleen truly enjoys the ministry of Emmanuwheel. She comes to serve and not be served and believes that faith without works is dead faith.
David Rainey is a member of Kittiwake Baptist Church. He likes working with Emmanuwheel because it provides one of many ways to serve and evangelize at the same time and to glorify God while meeting a true need for someone . |
Client Intake Coordinator: Mary Turner
Mary is a retired secretary from the Lexington Church of Christ who loves to travel and watch the Clemson Tigers play football. She is married to John and has two adult children Staci & Jonathan.
"As a member of the Lexington Church of Christ, I have been aware of Emmanuwheel from its inception and the many people who have been served by this ministry. My husband John and I have helped build ramps with several different groups. It is such a blessing to see the smile on the recipients face when they use the ramp for the first time. To God Be The Glory!"
"As a member of the Lexington Church of Christ, I have been aware of Emmanuwheel from its inception and the many people who have been served by this ministry. My husband John and I have helped build ramps with several different groups. It is such a blessing to see the smile on the recipients face when they use the ramp for the first time. To God Be The Glory!"