By Tyler Orton
The Tri-City News
Dozens of Tri-City volunteers braved the cold this week to shovel snow for neighbours in need of help.
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam's Snow Angels programs target elderly or disabled residents looking for assistance clearing the sidewalks outside their homes after snowfalls.
Dan Mooney, Coquitlam's manager for road and traffic operations, said the city received 40 requests for help since last weekend. "This is a way of harnessing the community spirit to go out there and make it safe for all of their neighbours," he said. "It really is a labour of love."
City bylaws require residents clear the snow from sidewalks outside their homes by 10 a.m. but many people are no physically able to fulfill that obligation.
Mooney said more than 30 people came forward to help those residents, meaning many volunteers shovelled for more than one household. "You're helping the individual but you're also helping the broader community by providing a safe walking area," he said.
Port Coquitlam Snow Angel Nicole Matysiak said she signed up for the program as a way to give back to the community. "It's kind of motivating just going out and doing it," she said. "It doesn't really matter if I meet the person or not, I'm just there to do it for them."
On Saturday after a heavy overnight snowfall, Matysiak spent 45 minutes clearing the sidewalk outside a neighbour's home.
"This particular person lives on a corner, so it wasn't just the sidewalk in front of her house. She has [a sidewalk] all the way up the side," she said. "I kind of had a giggle when I got there and realized it."
City of PoCo spokesperson Pardeep Purewal said 20 volunteers were available to fulfill six requests for help in the past week but she suspects many unofficial Snow Angels are taking it upon themselves to clear their neighbours' sidewalks.
"That's part of the message that we're promoting because this is not a guaranteed service," she said. "We are encouraging residents to be neighbourly."
Snow Angels must pass a criminal record check and have to be at least 14 years old in Coquitlam and 12 years old in Port Coquitlam. Volunteers are then matched with neighbours and provided with instructions on proper shovelling techniques.
