Help Your Neighbors Shovel Snow This Winter
This winter began with record snowfalls and freezing temperatures – and we have not even gone half the way, which means that many of us have weeks or months of snow (and snow removal) ahead of us.
City codes usually require residents to remove snow and ice from sidewalks on their property within a specified period of time ( often 24 hours ) after it builds up or stops falling. Property owners could face fines and / or be charged for clearing snow if they do not shovel by the deadline.
The reason: Wet, slippery and icy sidewalks are dangerous to passers-by, and cities make property owners responsible for minimizing the risk. Of course, shoveling snow is tough work, and it can be difficult, if not impossible, for seniors and people with disabilities and mobility issues to make it through the winter.
Do you want to help? Many cities have programs that connect volunteers with neighbors who need help cleaning sidewalks and digging up cars.
Here’s how to find opportunities in your area.
Visit your city’s government website
Go to the .gov website for your city or county. You can find volunteer snow removal opportunities listed on the main site or on specific department pages:
- Services for adults
- Public affairs or community service
- Parks and recreation
- Utility and public works
Depending on your city, you may have to fill out a form and sign a waiver in order to apply as a volunteer. Here are some examples of urban snow removal programs:
- DC volunteer snow team
- Volunteer shovels snow (New York)
- Pittsburgh Snow Angels
- Snow Angels Program (Lincoln, NE)
Connect to VolunteerMatch
In some cities, snow removal programs may be run by community groups. VolunteerMatch is a non-profit organization that connects volunteers with charities in their area. You will need to create a free account to search, view and apply for jobs. You can narrow your search results by city or by reason – you can also search for “snow” or “snow removal” or related keywords.
google it
If the first two options aren’t yielding results, it’s best to look for opportunities directly. Just enter “volunteer snow removal” + your city on Google. You can also find local news that contains contact information for the department or organization responsible for your snow removal program.