While the current weather might not have people thinking about getting their shovels out, the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre is already looking to help out those who need snow removed from their paths, walkways and stairs.
The Centre’s Snow Angels program currently has 40 active volunteers set to go for the upcoming winter, but most of them are matched up with multiple clients and there are still 100 people on a waiting list.
“We’re trying to get ahead of the curve here,” volunteer coordinator Tessa Hettrick said on Thursday morning.
“We have our volunteer recruitment underway and a couple of events here at the end of this month as we’re trying to have people matched up here before the snow starts to fly.
“However, if we have people that want to come on throughout the winter, we’ll definitely take them and match them up with someone.”
The program is looking for able-bodied volunteers who are 16 years of age and older to help seniors within the city of Thunder Bay. Toques and shovels are provided by the 55 Plus Centre.
“We really appreciate the volunteers that are part of this program as this is a great need for the older adults in our community,” support services coordinator Corrine Graham said.
“They need to have that accessibility for emergency purposes, even if they just need to get their mail or they have to go outside to get to their vehicle.”
This marks the second winter that the Thunder Bay 55 Plus Centre’s Support Services Programs have been involved with the Snow Angels program, which was originally created by Age Friendly Thunder Bay.
“We’ve received a lot of referrals already, now it’s just a matter of finding the volunteers,” Graham said.
“Now that we have our feet wet a little bit more with the program, we have a better understanding of how much the program means to our community and how many people really need the service,” Hettrick added.
“We’re really focusing our energy on recruiting those volunteers to help serve that purpose.”
The 55 Plus Centre will be holding volunteer recruitment events for the Snow Angels program at their location on 700 River Street on Saturday, Nov. 25 at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the program, call Hettrick at 807-684-3277.
