Snow Angels clear the way for neighbours
Winter weather tough on seniors and others with mobility issues
These Snow Angels are out there doing the heavy lifting for those who can’t.
A volunteer group of 29 Vancouver residents has been busy with shovels and picks this month, and is being credited with cleaning the snow and ice from more than 45 city blocks.
Beginning Dec. 5, volunteers have been helping seniors and people with limited mobility clear their sidewalks of snow and ice. To add to this warm and fuzzy Christmas story, more volunteers have been stepping up daily to help with the City of Vancouver-initiated program.
The city’s Darcy Wilson said the Snow Angels program has been in place for six years, but no one has been asked to lift a shovel in the last three because of the weather.
“There are the elderly and people with mobility issues that during these prolonged weather events have real challenges,” Wilson said. “We are getting more people to sign up every day.”
In Vancouver and other municipalities, it’s up to a homeowner or tenant to make sure the walkway is clear of ice and snow. Anyone needing assistance in making their walk safe can call 311 and ask for a Snow Angel to stop by, Wilson said.
The ice and snow have made it particularly tough on people riding scooters, in wheelchairs and anyone using a cane or walker, Wilson said.
East Vancouver resident D.J. Lawrence, 52, has been a Snow Angel for three years. He carries a shovel in his truck and will stop on his way home from work to clear the walks of those needing help. He advises people to call right away when the snow is fresh, as it’s a lot easier to clear the walk before it’s packed down and icy. He has about seven homes near his residence he’s been watching over.
“It gets you out and exercising,” he said. “I know my neighbours are very appreciative. I am in and out pretty fast. It is not that big a deal to do.”
Before the Dec. 5 snowfall, there were 16 Snow Angels registered with the City of Vancouver. That number jumped to 29 after the big blast of winter. Registration to become a volunteer can be done via the VanConnect app, or by visiting the city’s website. Once registered, volunteers receive requests from a Snow Angel co-ordinator to clear snow and ice from neighbours’ sidewalks.
All Vancouver property owners and tenants are supposed to clear snow and ice from the full width of sidewalks that surround their property by 10 a.m. on the morning following a snowfall. The bylaw is in effect seven days a week, and those who fail to remove snow and ice can be fined.
As temperatures continue to hover below freezing, the Snow Angels have also been busy using salt provided by the city to help keep sidewalks safe.
Between Dec. 5 and 11, the city received 108 requests for help to clear sidewalks. During the most recent snowstorm, the call centre received 1,540 snow-and-ice-removal inquiries.
Lorraine Logan, president of the Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of B.C., said the weather has been tough on seniors. She implores people to clear their sidewalks so the elderly can have safe passage. She loves the idea of the Snow Angels.
“I think it is a good idea,” she said. “It is neighbour helping neighbours. It is a nice gesture and lovely what these people are doing. I’d like to see more of it elsewhere.”
Logan said a slip on the ice can be disastrous for a senior.
“Seniors are afraid of the ice,” she said. “As you age you don’t have that muscle strength to hold you up if you slip. Some seniors can end up being homebound, afraid to come out in this weather.”
According to the weather office, on Thursday Metro Vancouver is going to remain sunny and cold, with Friday also sunny with a temperature down to -4 C.
I know my neighbours are very appreciative. I am in and out pretty fast. It is not that big a deal to do.
D. J. L AWRENCE