OPERATION SNOW BANK LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
The City of New Bedford is looking for volunteers for
the OPERATION SNOW BANK program. Operation Snow
Bank is a neighborhood-based program that links volunteer snow removers (Snow Angels).with qualifying people with disabilities
who need snow removal services for their walkways and stairs. This program is sponsored in part by the New Bedford Commission
for Disabilities, the New Bedford Council on Aging, the GIVing Network, and the City of New Bedford.
Operation Snow Bank will be activated for storms that accumulate 3 or
more inches of snow. Once a Snow Angel match has been identified, a letter will be sent to the homeowner. Residents
must understand that volunteers are not always able to assist in the morning, and can only commit to helping at the soonest
convenient time. Priority for snow removal
services goes to seniors and disabled residents who meet the following criteria:
Filled
out an application for the program
Have a documented disability
Owns the home in which they reside
Are unable to remove snow by themselves and have no family
members who can assist.
What are the Snow Angel's responsibilities?
- Be willing to commit to
assist an elderly or disabled neighbor who is not able-bodied enough to shovel their walkway / staircase.
- Be responsible for shoveling stairways and pathways to vehicles. Driveways are not required but may be done for residents
on a case-by-case basis.
To be a Snow Angel, volunteers must....
- Be able to provide own transportation and equipment (shovel
and gloves)
- Be aged 15 or older (those under 18 must have parental consent to participate)
- Be available on short notice and be willing to shovel when there are 3 or more inches of snow
Volunteers participate in the program at their
own risk. Only people healthy enough to meet the physical demand of shoveling snow should apply.
Interesting in becoming a Snow Angel?
Click here for a volunteer application package, and return the completed forms to:
c/o Department
of Community ServicesCity Hall Room 221133 William StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740 For
more information, contact Diane Figueira at 508-979-1638 or at OperationSnowBank@newbedford-ma.gov.