Snow Buddies Program
Snow Buddies is a partnership between the City and County of Denver and Volunteers of America. The Snow Buddies program connects healthy volunteers with anyone 60+ in the metro area who cannot shovel their own walk. Volunteers are paired with seniors within a 2-mile radius of one another, helping clear their walkways after two or more inches of snow has fallen.
Why Volunteer
When you sign up to be a Denver Snow Buddy, you are strengthening our community, improving someone else’s life and transforming your own life through service. The Snow Buddy program was initiated to keep seniors safe from falls on snow or ice during the winter. The program also keeps seniors from accruing city fines for not being able to shovel their snow from the sidewalks.
How to volunteer to be a Snow Buddy
You can fill out an application to volunteer at www.voacolorado.org/Volunteer/Snow-Buddies or contact Wayne Chitwood of Volunteers of America Colorado at 303-297-0408. Please note, there is a one-time fee of $25 for a background check.
General ways to help your community
- Get to know your neighbors - keep a list of phone numbers on hand for emergencies.
- Check on elderly and/or disabled neighbors during major snow storms to be sure they do not need help.
- Always clear your sidewalk of snow as soon as possible - it is difficult for pedestrians to walk down sidewalks full of snow and ice but it is nearly impossible for wheelchairs.
- Go the extra step to make sure the sidewalk on your block is clear of snow so it can be accessible to all.
For those who need assistance
- Check out the resources available in your neighborhood — churches and other service organizations often have volunteers available to help those in need.
- Visit the Denver Office of Emergency Management to get more information on how neighborhoods can prepare for emergencies in Denver.