Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is reaching out to the community at large for some caring individuals willing to volunteer their time.

Sandra Scott, Programs Manager, says last year twenty-three properties required assistance shovelling their driveways and walkways, and she is currently looking for helpers. "I always try and have two people per property. So ideally that would be at least forty-six people, but then I always try to have an emergency crew and a few extras too. We try to match volunteers to help in areas that they reside as well. That way, they are able even to shovel their own walk and then run over and help the other person as well. If they have to drive, it just becomes more difficult."

Always looking for more people to add to the roster, Scott says it can be a great way to give back to the community, whether individually, as a couple or a family. "Everybody is welcome, and I find it is a great opportunity for families. If mom, dad and a couple of kids do it together, the work can get done quickly, and they are also role modeling for their kids. I have seen

Even younger snow angels will be accepted, and this can be a great way to introduce youth to giving back to others. "I have often seen kids out there volunteering. I want kids who are ten and under to always have an adult with them, but if they are eleven and up and especially in a little group, they are safe out there."

When it comes to who can access a helping hand if needed, Scott says they can be somewhat flexible in their criteria. "It could be a senior with low income or just a senior. We are way more flexible when it comes to income setting as snow helping is a safety issue too. It's not that they can't necessarily afford to hire someone; there isn't anyone to do it. If they are walking out on the ice and so forth, they could fall and hurt themselves, and that could be the start of a very long and difficult time for them. It could also be anyone who is medically challenged, say with a broken arm or leg, or any disability. I even had a mom last year who had a bunch of little kids where the dad was away all the time, and we decided to help her. When the person would show up, she would often be out there with the little kids helping."

To not burn snow angels out, Scott will often rotate volunteers monthly, so no one becomes burdened too much. "I find that each person wasn't out too much, maybe out six or seven times during the whole winter. We are always there to advocate and help so that one person isn't working too hard. we want this to be a win-win."

If you can help out or need assistance, contact Scott at programsmanager@helpinghandscochrane.ca.