MOOSE JAW — To help seniors navigate the challenge of keeping their driveway and walkways clear of snow, Seniors Centre Without Walls (SCWW) is starting a new project called “Adopt a Driveway” where volunteers can lend residents a helping hand — and back — this winter.
The organization is asking for able-bodied volunteers — whether it be an individual, family, workplace team, or a sports team —who can ideally partner with a senior resident throughout the duration of the upcoming winter months.
“A lot of seniors in this community are unable to shovel their driveways, which is really important for them to get out for different things (such as) doctors’ appointments and for shopping,” said Manon Desruisseaux, one of the co-ordinators with SCWW.
“We are trying to find volunteers to help us with that because we don’t have enough… volunteers on our team to do (driveways and walkways) for all the people that need it.”
The Adopt a Driveway program came about as a natural expansion of the centre’s already existing programs for seniors including grocery shopping, meal preparation, mobility, transportation, and housekeeping services. Currently, 10 seniors are enrolled through the program so an ideal complement of 10 volunteers is suggested.
“We get calls from people that need assistance out in the community, and we’re getting a lot of people now wanting us to go out and shovel snow when it starts snowing,” Desruisseaux explained. “We’re just unable to do all those (people’s shovelling) by ourselves.”
Ideally, each volunteer would partner with a senior through the program and provide services as required throughout the winter months. Ronda Wedhorn, the centre’s program co-ordinator, said that volunteers would ideally help Moose Jaw’s seniors not only with their shovelling duties, but will also form a lasting social bond throughout the winter.
If you’re unable to volunteer to shovel, Akku Panchal said you can still help by spreading word of the program through social media, by encouraging your coworkers to participate, or by inquiring about possible partnerships with local groups.
“We would be grateful for your support in this initiative, and we are happy to provide more information or answer any question you may have,” Panchal said. “Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors this winter.
“Thank you for considering this opportunity to help our community.”
The Seniors Centre Without Walls office is located at the Town ‘N’ Country Mall at 1235 Main Street North and volunteers can apply by stopping by the storefront to inquire. You can also call the centre or contact Panchal by email at [email protected].
If you don’t have access to a shovel or other required winter gear, you can phone SCWW to inquire about options and they will provide shovels if needed.
To learn more about SCWW and its range of programs, call 306-692-2242 or email [email protected].
