Batavia United Way launches Snow Angel program
The Batavia United Way is bringing Snow Angels, a volunteer snow shoveling program, to Batavia.
They are pairing a volunteer Snow Angel with a nearby neighbor with limited mobility who needs help clearing their driveway of snow for the 2023-24 season (December to March).
Snow Angel volunteers shovel:
- When there’s two or more inches of snow;
- Within 24 hours of a snow event;
- Only the front sidewalk, driveway, and parkway sidewalk.
Along with fostering a stronger community, Snow Angels makes the community safer for those who are outside in winter weather (students and neighbors walking, city staff, postal workers, etc.).
To request a Snow Angel, you must be a Batavia or Batavia Township resident; veterans; adults, 60 or older; or individuals living with a disability physically unable to shovel; and financially unable to pay for a service.
Note this is a new program and they may not yet have volunteers to pair with you.
If you are matched with a Snow Angel, they will notify you by email or phone call. Registration is on a rolling basis, so a Snow Angel may be available later in the season. If snow is predicted to melt within 24 hours, the volunteer may not shovel.
You do not have to be home when a Snow Angel arrives to help. This is a free service; no payment is required or expected. To request a Snow Angel, go to bataviaunitedway.org/request-a-snow-angel/.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers, age 14 or older, can sign up online, bataviaunitedway.org/snow-angel-volunteer/, to offer help.
The Snow Angels Program will pair you with a nearby neighbor. They will contact you when you have been matched with a neighbor in need.
You are committing to help the neighbor in need for an entire snow season (December-March); help out your neighbor as soon as you are able and within 24 hours of the end of a snow event of two or more inches.
You will be assigned to a neighbor in need who lives no more than a 10-minute walk from your address unless you volunteer to travel further than one mile.
You may not be assigned to help a neighbor immediately. Neighbors request help throughout the winter season. You may be assigned immediately, a few weeks after you sign up, or later during the winter.
Your assignment depends on if there is a neighbor who needs help near you. If no neighbors sign up, they may not be able to assign you. Either way, keep in touch regularly!
Sometimes more than one neighbor who needs help lives in the same block. If you’re willing to help shovel and for more than one neighbor, let them know on your registration form.