
(Photo: Unsplash)
With another dump of snow coming to Kamloops in the days ahead, a plea is going out from a volunteer group to help create more “snow angels.”
The Snow Angels volunteer group sends people around Kamloops, shoveling snow for seniors and those with mobility issues.
Program Coordinator Anita Jacobson says they provide a key service in Kamloops.
“That simple act of clearing snow just lets our seniors be independent a little bit longer, it lets them safely get to and from their vehicles, and to handi-dart busses and it also allows them to get to medical appointments to get groceries and get their chores done.”
Jacobson says they’re critically short of volunteers and are appealing to both individuals and groups to get involved.
“I give them one or two seniors for every four people, and that way, you can split the month into four sections and one person is responsible for one week out of that month.”
She suggests people going back to work post-COVID, as well as those just doing other things, is being cited as a major reason for their shortage of volunteers this winter — which, while understandable — can be a real problem.
“A lot of our seniors are homebound and they rely on in-home care and what a lot of people don’t realize is that if their driveways and walkways aren’t clear, those in-home care companies are not allowed to go to them for safety reasons for themselves.”
Jacobson says they need about 30 or more volunteers this winter, as many of their previous volunteers have found work or other activities post-COVID.
Anyone wanting to volunteer can apply here.