ALEXANDRIA, VA – It took 7-10 inches of snow pummeling the mid-Atlantic for a busy businessman and a retired cafeteria worker to meet. Still, now that they have, Markos Panas and Elizabeth Crawford are fast friends, texting and calling one another, all thanks to the Snow Buddy program developed decades ago by Volunteer Alexandria.

“He was so nice,” says 76-year-old Crawford, who shared how Markos called and visited with her a day before the snow started. “I immediately felt like I had always known him. Oh yeah, he’s a friend now forever.”

“I wanted to introduce myself first,” explains Panas. “And we became fast friends. She has an amazing story. I met some kids who used to be her students at school. And while I was there, I salted the areas I’d shovel later.”

Panas gets up before dawn most days and doesn’t stop working until it’s almost time for the sun to rise again. The uber-busy owner of Bread and Water Company, Beeliner Diner, BunPapa, and The Dog Park has little time to spare, but he made time a few days ago when he signed up to be a snow buddy through Volunteer Alexandria.

“I was looking for something I could do to help in my community physically,” Panos told Zebra in a phone interview. “It seemed like it was right up my alley, and excited me. I have a four wheel drive. I’m willing to go anywhere, so I clicked the links and I was quickly hooked up with Ms. Liz Crawford.”

“It was perfect timing when Markos called in,” said Marion Brunken, Executive Director of Volunteer Alexandria. “We did not have anyone for her neighborhood.”

The Snow Buddy program has been operating for decades in Alexandria, and not every city has one. “It’s fairly unique,” offers Brunken. “Our biggest problem is finding volunteers who live close to a resident in need.”

The program matches volunteers willing to remove snow and treat sidewalks for eligible low-income seniors, homebound or disabled residents physically unable to do it themselves, and neighbors who cannot afford traditional snow removal services or don’t have someone to assist them.

Snow Buddy Volunteers are on call starting the day after the first snowfall of the season through the spring of the following year. Volunteers are generally matched with residents within reasonable walking distance and expected to supply their snow shovels and brooms. Salt is provided.

Brunken says the best part of the program is “providing peace of mind for the resident requesting a snow buddy volunteer.” Many homebound or disabled residents are concerned about getting out for appointments or making sure health aides or Meals on Wheels can get to their door, or worse, that the city might fine them for not removing snow fast enough. “Those worries are real,”

But perhaps even more important than taking away anxiety, the snow buddy volunteers “really provide a much-needed social connection” for the resident.
“75% of our volunteers are repeats, and we try to match them with ‘their’ resident, which really benefits them both,” adds Brunken. That means Panas and Crawford are literally snow bound now.

Crawford, who worked in the Cora Kelly Elementary and Patrick Henry Elementary Schools for over 12 years, and who has resided in the Del Ray area for 23 years told Zebra, “I’m just so glad there are people like Markos around to help.”

“I always say we are better and stronger together, and this program is one of the best examples,” declares Brunken. “And oh, by the way, I need 13 more snow buddies this season.”

If you’re interested in serving your neighbors, register online as a Snow Buddy.

If you’d like to request assistance, download and return the Snow Buddy request form or contact Volunteer Alexandria directly.

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