How to become a ‘Snow Hero’ to help seniors and people with disabilities this winter

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The City of Cleveland’s Department of Aging is looking for volunteers to shovel pathways for seniors and people with disabilities.

The “Snow Hero” program matches volunteers with up to three households in their neighborhood.

Volunteers are asked to shovel sidewalks, stairs, ramps, and a 36” path to the door.

“Making sure they have a walkable path from their doorway to the street, so we want to make sure they’re safe so that’s the most important thing,” volunteer project coordinator Jowan Moss said.

Volunteers need to bring their own shovel or snow blower and complete assignments within 48 hours of a 3” or greater snowfall.

Mary McNamara, the aging department’s director, said their phones were ringing off the hook when the snow started falling.

The initiative’s goal is to help these folks so they can safely continue to run errands or head to doctor’s visits.

“They feel so grateful,” McNamara said. “First, they feel seen, that they haven’t been forgotten, but they’ve found someone in their neighborhood.”

The department is looking for additional volunteers. For more information on how to sign up, click this link to the department’s website.