Bradford West Gwillimbury seeks 'angels' to help shovel snow

Winter can be a chance to meet your neighbour

Yorkregion.com
November 18, 2019
Kim Zarzour

Just in time for this week’s first big snowstorm of the season, Bradford-West Gwillimbury is launching its new Snow Angels program.

“Be a neighbour, help a neighbour” is the motto of a campaign to encourage residents to help each other out this winter.

If you have a shovel and a strong back, and you notice a neighbour's walkway often goes uncleared, you are encouraged to lend a hand.

The town was inspired by a similar successful program in Innisfil, where Good Samaritans volunteer to shovel their neighbours’ walks.

The program aims to help the elderly and those who aren’t physically able to shovel, but town spokesperson Caleigh Clubine says it’s also a great way to get outdoors and meet your neighbours when most of us huddle and hibernate.

Clubine says a communication plan and advertising will start this week, including tips for safe shovelling.

“If people want to be a Snow Angel, they simply look for need and do it -- there is no program registration,” Clubine said.

If you have been helped this winter by a kind neighbour, you are encouraged to nominate your Snow Angel and the town will reward them with a special “recognition package” to pass along as thanks.

The town will not be directly involved in matching volunteers with residents in need, Clubine said.

Bradford West Gwillimbury had initially looked into a more formal program matching those who need help with shovellers willing to come to their aid, similar to a program run by local charity NeighbourhoodNetwork.org based in Aurora. However, re-creating the program would have been labour-intensive and could require hiring new staff, she said.

It’s hoped this neighbourly angel program can also be used in other ways, like helping the elderly during power outages, to help build stronger communities.

To nominate -- and recognize -- a snow angel who has helped you, contact the town at 905-775-5366 or visit townofbwg.com