JOB 032Ramp
Just finished
A Ramp So a Couple Can Come and Go Safely
September 28, 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
Your $50 builds freedom for a neighbor in need.
Volunteers in Oklahoma City build wheelchair ramps and fix homes for seniors, single moms, and families who cannot get in or out on their own. Your gift buys the lumber. The family pays nothing.
501(c)(3) / EIN 88-4053817 / Donations are tax-deductible
Help Chris Foster get home before winter
A year ago, a fire damaged Chris Foster's house in Chickasha. He has been living in it ever since, with the damage still in the roof, the walls and the floors.
Open Vessels wants to get Chris fixed up before winter hits. Volunteers will do the work. We need to raise about $8,000 for the materials.
When the giving form opens, write “Chris Foster” in the note box so we count your gift toward his house.
WORK ORDER / CHICKASHAOpen
Still to do
- New roof to replace the fire damage
- Four windows replaced
- Drywall and insulation in three 10x10 rooms
- New electrical wiring in the dining room
- 1,200 sq ft of laminate flooring, bought and installed
- Drywall textured and painted, paint included
Materials goal: $8,000. Labor is volunteer.
The job log
Every job is a real neighbor with photos from the day. Newest first.
JOB 031Ramp
Access Ramp for Miss Colonna Nelson
August 28, 2026 / Oklahoma City
We had the privilege of building an access ramp for Miss Colonna Nelson, made possible by a steep materials discount from Lowe's and gifts from partners who believe in this work.
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
JOB 030Community
Moving Day for Miss Monica
August 17, 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
JOB 029Access
A Wider Door for Miss Natasha
August 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
JOB 028Repair
Lawns, Front Doors, and Home Repairs
August 2, 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
JOB 027Housing
“It's all about serving.”
A Storage Shed Turned Into Living Quarters
May 9, 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
JOB 026Ramp
Accessibility Ramp for Jackie & Carl
April 2026 / Oklahoma City
- Asked
- Built
- Signed off
How a job gets done
Because no one should be trapped in their own home. A broken step or a missing handrail can take a person’s independence away.
A neighbor is referred.
A church, a healthcare partner, or someone down the street tells us about a family who cannot get in or out of their own home.
Volunteers build on a Saturday.
Your $50 buys the lumber. We bring the trailer and the saws. No construction experience needed to swing a hammer with us.
The family pays nothing.
Every gift goes to materials and tools. The labor is volunteer, so the ramp is a gift, not a bill.
Since 2018, this crew has finished 150+ homes, built 75+ ramps, and put in 12K+ volunteer hours, with 500+ volunteers on the roster.
Taped to the fence
Snapshots from the last few jobs. Tap one to read the whole story.
Fund the next job
Your gift buys lumber and tools. Volunteers provide the labor for free. Gifts are tax-deductible.
- $50
Materials supporter
Provides lumber for one wheelchair ramp section. Helps one family get into their home.
- $250
Home transformer
Funds a complete safety upgrade project with full home modifications.
- $1,000
Major impact partner
Sponsors tools and equipment so volunteers can serve dozens of families.
- Secure payment via EasyTithe.
On the news
Watch 2:19
9
NewsOKC
0:00 / 0:00
Something Good · January 30, 2026
Reporter Mike Glover
“How One Oklahoma Man Is Giving Back to Those Who Can’t Help Themselves”
“I just went out helping people, and man, it felt so good. We’re not doing it for a pat on the back, we’re doing it because someone needs help.”
Joey Chappell, founder
Watch how Joey Chappell turned his own second chance into a movement, now leading 500+ volunteers who build wheelchair ramps and repair homes for veterans and elderly neighbors across Oklahoma City, one family at a time.
A car for a grandmother
Watch how the community came together to bless a grandmother in need with a life-changing gift.
Open Vessels Car Giveaway
Where the money goes
Here is how donations were used, per our 2023 annual report.
78%
15%
7%
- Directly to programs
- Materials like lumber, shingles and paint, plus support for the volunteer teams on the ground.
- Fundraising
- The cost of spreading the word and gathering the resources to help more people.
- Management and general
- Overhead, kept as low as we can.
Your team can build one
No construction experience required. Whether your team swings hammers or serves lunch, organizes supplies or connects with families, there is a place for everyone.
Volunteers from churches, businesses, and families show up on Saturdays with one purpose: loving our neighbors through action.
On the fence with us
Businesses and churches that fund materials, lend trucks, and send crews.
Victory Church
Chase The Plumber
City Center
Oklahoma Ceiling Systems & Drywall
Bricktown Rotary Club
R3DPILL.AI
Common questions
Still stuck? Ask us directly.
What does Open Vessels do?
Open Vessels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Oklahoma City that provides free wheelchair ramps, home repairs, and accessibility modifications for seniors, single moms, veterans, and at-risk families. We are 100% volunteer-powered and there is zero cost to the families we serve.
How do I get free home repairs in Oklahoma City?
Visit our Request Help page and fill out an application. We serve seniors, single moms, veterans, and at-risk families in Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma. All services are completely free. You pay nothing for materials or labor.
How do I volunteer with Open Vessels?
No construction experience is required! Join 500+ volunteers every Saturday. Visit our Get Involved page to sign up your team or yourself. We welcome churches, businesses, families, and individuals.
Is Open Vessels a 501(c)(3)? Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes, Open Vessels is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 88-4053817). All donations are tax-deductible. Donations fund building materials and tools for wheelchair ramps and home repairs.
What areas does Open Vessels serve?
Open Vessels serves families across Oklahoma City and Moore, Oklahoma. We focus on seniors, single moms, veterans, and at-risk families who need wheelchair ramps, home repairs, or accessibility modifications.
How much does it cost families to receive help from Open Vessels?
$0. Open Vessels is 100% volunteer-powered and provides all services completely free of charge. Donations from the community cover the cost of building materials. $50 builds one wheelchair ramp section.
New jobs post on Facebook first
Follow along to see the next ramp go up, and to know when the crew needs hands.
Help us reach 300 monthly donors
Monthly giving is the foundation that lets us say yes to every neighbor who needs help. Join The Vessel 300 today.