A small town man is taking the lion’s share of the load in keeping his neighbours’ sidewalks clear. Claude Gagnon is the sole volunteer in Black Diamond’s Snow Angels program this year, where he clears sidewalks for residents unable to do so after each snowfall. It’s a community service Gagnon participated in the past two seasons. “I saw an article that they needed people and I thought why not,” he said. “I don’t mind shovelling sidewalks. I’m able-bodied.” The program is operated through the Town’s Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and matches volunteers with a nearby residence. Gagnon is matched with three. “The people I do Snow Angel for really do need it,” he said. “Two are elderly women and another is a fellow. Sometimes you get there and he’s already done it. He’s on oxygen but he tries to get out.” Gagnon joined the initiative to give back to his community. Now someone wants to give back to him. “One lady that just got added on recently mentioned she wants to make me muffins,” he said. “She uses a walker and lives in a walk-out basement so she just needs the path cleared up to the driveway.” FCSS co-ordinator Suzan Nagel said the program is desperate for volunteers. “I want to get more volunteers because I don’t want to burn him (Gagnon) out,” she said. “He can’t be the one and only for all these people. We’ve got some people registered who need help on a regular basis and we just want to match somebody up with them who’s close by them. “It’s mostly elderly people. In a lot of cases they’re alone and don’t have anybody else to help them.” Nagel suspects the lack of volunteers may be a result of the little snowfall so far this year. “It’s not a huge need or a huge demand, but when it happens it’s an instant demand,” she said. “Just because it’s not there every day or every week when it does happen these people need to get safely in and out of their homes. I appreciate Claude and the commitment that he has to these people and I hope that we can get more coming forward so we can spread the work load out and not just leave the burden on one person.” While several people shovel for neighbours and friends who aren’t part of the Snow Angel program, Nagel wants to ensure everyone needing a Snow Angel has one. “It’s for the ones who are missed, the ones nobody sees the need for or nobody is helping them,” she said. “Those are the ones we have to get paired up with somebody who can help.” Turner Valley’s Snow Angel program has grown in volunteers, but not all are registered through FCSS, said Monique LeBlanc, Turner Valley community service and business development manager. “Many of them are just great neighbours or friends who support those who need a bit of help, however, we do have the odd person who doesn’t necessarily have that kind of support and they’re either identified through other programs or referrals or they will touch base with either town and then we match them up with a volunteer who is assigned to that residence for the remainder of the season,” she said. “We have alternates should that person not be available.” Currently, Turner Valley has six families and individuals registered as Snow Angels, said LeBlanc. “It keeps our sidewalks safe for the seniors and those who may have mobility issues,” she said. “It helps those who aren’t able to get out there to avoid any fines and penalties incurred from not clearing their sidewalks.” Failure to clear snow from a sidewalk adjacent to one’s property in Turner Valley could result in a fine as high as $200, said LeBlanc. When the Snow Angel is assigned an address, LeBlanc said they receive no other information. “They don’t know who they’re shovelling for nor do the people asking for help know the volunteer,” she said. “It’s great to see the community spirit that evolves from people helping one another.” For Gagnon, being a Snow Angel is all about community spirit. “It’s important that we do this kind of stuff,” he said. “I usually shovel the whole sidewalk on my street if I have a day off. People are always happy to receive the service.” Anybody requiring a Snow Angel or knows somebody who could use the service in Turner Valley can contact Monique LeBlanc at 403-933-6206 or [email protected] and Suzan Nagel 933-4348 or [email protected] in Black Diamond.
