Delta is ready for whatever winter has in store this year. And if that means heavy snowfalls, then several snow angels are on standby to help those who can’t shovel their sidewalks or driveways.
So far, people in 20 homes in Ladner have signed up for the City of Delta’s snow angel program in which volunteers are recruited to be on standby to clear the driveways and sidewalks of senior homeowners.
In Tsawwassen, another 24 homes have volunteers ready to help out once the snow flies, while in North Delta, another 50 homes have volunteers assigned, with 18 homes on the wait list for a snow angel.
The volunteers are sent out to those homes anytime five or more centimetres of snow falls. To be eligible for the help, residents must be 65 or older, with physical limitations and with no one in the home or nearby who can help out.
Mike Scanlan is one of the snow angels who’s ready for whatever this winter brings.
“So I will put my shovels in the car to be at the ready tomorrow if anything happens,” he said.
Scanlan has been a snow angel shoveling sidewalks and driveways in North Delta for about eight years. The city plans it so that most homes are within walking distance of his own home.
He considers himself lucky to be in good health and he keeps active, so he wants to help those who aren’t as lucky.
And he notes that he takes his time when shoveling.
“I think I’ve got a few more years left in me anyways,” he said.
“And I’m going to be old one day myself, so what the heck,” said the 75-year-old.
But he has no difficulty getting around and it’s fun to get a reaction when people ask him why he’s shoveling snow at his age.
“We try to keep this kindness ball rolling,” he added.
The city could use more snow angels in North Delta. Volunteers have to be 18 years and over, or be between 13 and 17 years old, with adult supervision. Volunteers must also pass a police record check, be in excellent health, have on-call availability and their own vehicle.
So far this year, a total of 39 snow angels have signed up, along with volunteers from the District Community Police Office in North Delta.
The city is also welcoming anyone else who wants to become a snow angel, with community groups encouraged to sign up.
People can sign up online, https://www.delta.ca/city-hall/working-delta/volunteering/snow-angels-program.
Snow angels must also bring their own snow shovels.
Application deadline for homeowners who were seeking a snow angel was Nov. 14, with those applying afterwards put on a waiting list.
