Can You Be Someone’s Snow Buddy?
By Ioana Lutai, Volunteer Alexandria
For healthy people, shoveling the sidewalk or driveway can be a great winter workout. For others, snow can be a dangerous obstacle. Many people especially the elderly and disabled, need some extra assistance when Alexandria turns into a winter wonderland.
If you love being out in the snow, consider helping area seniors and families in need this winter. Volunteer Alexandria, in collaboration with the City of Alexandria and with the support of Senior Services, matches volunteers with neighbors who need help removing snow and ice. As a volunteer, you’ll be matched with as few, or as many, neighbors who you can help dig out.
Last year, Snow Buddy volunteers helped more than 47 local families who needed snow removal assistance. Volunteer Eric Dillon said “Snow Buddies has been great! The best part are the seniors. All of them offer me a warm drink or say “thanks” and it truly shows their gratitude. Snow days for my peers are like holidays, but I know these days are anything but little vacations for my seniors. These events adversely affect their lives. Hopefully, I’m part of the solution.”
If you can join volunteers like Eric on our Snow Buddy team, visit www.VolunteerAlexandria.org and search ‘Snow Buddies’.
You’ll be matched with neighbors who need your assistance when the flakes start falling.
For more information on the program, call 703-836-2176 or emergencyresponse@volunteeralexandria.org.