With winter fast approaching, Englewood’s Neighborhood Resources Program is seeking volunteers for its Snow Buddies, a program that assists those who need it with snow removal.Madeline Hinkfuss, neighborhood engagement program manager, said residents who can’t physically shovel their sidewalk, afford shoveling services, or don’t have nearby or assistance can utilize the Snow Buddies program.“Snow Buddy volunteers are expected to shovel their snow buddy’s path from the sidewalk to their front door, ...
With winter fast approaching, Englewood’s Neighborhood Resources Program is seeking volunteers for its Snow Buddies, a program that assists those who need it with snow removal.
Madeline Hinkfuss, neighborhood engagement program manager, said residents who can’t physically shovel their sidewalk, afford shoveling services, or don’t have nearby or assistance can utilize the Snow Buddies program.
“Snow Buddy volunteers are expected to shovel their snow buddy’s path from the sidewalk to their front door, and the public sidewalk in front of their property, within 24 hours of a snowfall from Nov. 15 to April 1,” Hinkfuss said.
In addition to “fostering neighborly support and connection during the winter months,” Hinkfuss said the program also provides safe access to residents throughout the city.
“For volunteers, the program offers a meaningful way to make a difference directly in their neighborhood,” Hinkfuss said. “Our goal is to pair buddies within a mile of each other, so many times, a snow buddy volunteer is fulfilling a need for their nearby neighbor.”
Over the last three years, Hinkfuss said more and more snow buddies have been paired together.
“The program launched in 2021, and 23 snow buddies-in-need were paired with a snow buddy volunteer,” Hinkfuss said. “Last year, more than 45 snow buddies-in-need were paired with a snow buddy volunteer.”
The program has consistently grown over the last three years and this year, the program hopes to reach even more residents in-need.
“We always have more residents in-need than we have volunteers, so each additional volunteer allows us to help more people,” Hinkfuss said.
Hinkfuss said any Englewood resident or people from a neighboring city, as well as young people, are encouraged to sign up for the program.
Going forward, Hinkfuss said she hopes the program will continue to grow and provide this need to those in the community.
“This program fulfills a need for the community by building connections, improving safety and accessibility and the more residents that participate the greater the impact for the community,” Hinkfuss said. “I also hope the program continues to bring neighbors together and helps to foster connection to those that feel isolated during the winter months.” For more information or to sign up visit englewoodco.gov/snowbuddies or call 303-762-2300.