Snow Angels

A Snow Angel is a volunteer who chooses to help out a neighbour or neighbours by shoveling the walk for someone who is unable or has difficulty doing it themselves.

To be a Snow Angel, all you need to do is shovel snow for a person or persons in need in your neighbourhood.

The best way to identify someone who may need your help is to watch for people in your neighbourhood who could use assistance shoveling snow and then ask them if you can lend a hand, or watch for a Snow Angel Needed sign in a neighbour's window or yard.

The Veiner Centre does not match Snow Angels with residents needing assistance. If nearby residents agree to share their address, that information can be passed along. Otherwise, only a general description of where Snow Angels signs are located in the neighbourhood will be shared.

Signs to put in your window, yard, or on your fence, are available through Unison at Veiner Centre.

Snow Angels registration form

Contact:
Unison at Veiner Centre
225 Woodman Avenue
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 3H2
Direct: 403-525-8657 
Email: tammyp@UnisonAlberta.com

If you’d like to be a volunteer Snow Angel but don’t have a snow shovel, contact Unison at Veiner Centre to borrow a snow shovel.

Snow that remains on sidewalks is hazardous for everyone, but especially for people with limited mobility who may be severely injured from falling on ice or snow. Uncleared walkways also make it difficult for people who deliver services in our city - mail carriers, delivery drivers, Meals on Wheels drivers, firefighters, and paramedics. Our city will be safer and more accessible if we can keep sidewalks, walkways and driveways clear of snow.

According to the City's Public Roads Bylaw #4346, property owners are responsible to clear the public sidewalks around their property of all ice and snow.

If a sidewalk isn’t cleared, the City can issue the owner a notice to clear the sidewalk. If the owner doesn’t comply the City can issue a fine.

There are many people we may not realize who might struggle to get their sidewalks shovelled quickly after a snowfall, some of these might include parents at home with a little one that they can’t leave inside without supervision, individuals recovering from an illness or injury, people receiving treatment for health problems, older adults, or people with mobility concerns.

• More than 23,465 seniors aged 50 and over live in Medicine Hat (Stats Canada, 2011).
• Approximately 72% of seniors over 65 live in their own homes (according Maclean’s Magazine, 2014).
• As well, approximately 15% of the overall population aged 15 and older has severe or very severe disability (Government of Alberta 2006). 

For these people, shoveling snow can be difficult or even dangerous.

Snow Angels also help older adults, persons with a disability, new parents, or people suffering from an illness to meet their responsibility to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks. The City of Medicine Hat requires this to be completed within 24 hours of the snowfall.

Unfortunately, we are unable to match volunteers with those in need of snow shoveling. However, we do have signs available for those in need of assistance to display, so as a volunteer if you are out in your neighbourhood be on the lookout for those signs.

Through Snow Angels, the City of Medicine Hat and Unison at Veiner Centre are merely encouraging good neighbourliness. The City of Medicine Hat or Unison at Veiner Centre does not select, supervise, or monitor persons volunteering as Snow Angels. Any person who volunteers to shovel snow on behalf of another does so at their own sole risk. Any person who accepts assistance from a person volunteering as a Snow Angel does so at their own sole risk.

There is no pay for being a Snow Angel, but you will know that you have made a positive difference in the life of a neighbour. Plus, the person you’ve helped might nominate you, which means you will receive a note of recognition.

Has someone been an angel and helped you shovel? Say thanks by nominating them as a Snow Angel.  By nominating your volunteer, you will be provided with a special recognition token of thanks to give to your Angel. Please complete a nomination form at:

Snow Angels nomination form

According to the City's Public Roads Bylaw #4346, property owners are responsible for removing ice and snow from city sidewalks adjacent to their property within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling.

If a sidewalk is not shoveled, the City may issue the resident a notice to clear the sidewalk within a certain time period. If the sidewalk is not cleared within that time, Municipal Bylaw Enforcement may issue a fine.

The major health concerns arising from snow removal are muscle and back problems and heart attacks. It is suggested that people use caution by knowing proper body mechanics in shoveling and warming up with a sequence of stretches prior to shoveling snow. People with prior diagnoses of heart problems should use extreme caution. Another common risk in snow removal is falls on ice covered by snow.

To reduce your risk of injury or accident, check these helpful tips:

Shoveling snow can be a tough task. Here are some helpful tips that can make clearing your sidewalk a little easier:

• Wear appropriate winter gear to stay warm and protect yourself from frostbite. Ensure your head (especially your ears), feet and hands are well covered.
• Space your hands on the shovel to increase leverage.
• Stand with your feet apart, knees bent and back straight.
• Place your front foot close to the shovel.
• Put weight on your front foot. Step forward and use your legs to load a small amount of snow onto the shovel. Remember the wetter the snow, the heavier it is.
• Lift with your legs; do not bend at the waist.
• Keep the shovel close to your body.
• Walk to where you want to dump the snow. Turn your feet in the direction you are throwing the snow.
• Do not twist at the waist as this puts stress on your back.
• Pace yourself and stay warm. Take appropriate rest breaks.
• Apply road salt/de-icer wherever necessary.

If you need someone to shovel your sidewalks on a regular and on-going basis, you may need to hire a snow removal company.  There may be additional supports available to support this need. The following options may help cover the cost of snow removal or connect you with other resources.

Alberta Seniors Benefit

If you receive the Alberta Seniors Benefit, you may be eligible to use part of your benefit to pay for snow removal services.

• Who can apply: Seniors aged 65+ with low to moderate income.
• How it helps: Monthly financial assistance that can be used toward living expenses, including contracted snow removal.
• Learn more: alberta.ca/alberta-seniors-benefit or call 1-877-644-9992.
  

AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped)

If you receive AISH, you may qualify for Personal or Health-Related Benefits that help cover costs for services like yard or snow maintenance

• Who can apply: Albertans with a permanent medical condition that severely limits their ability to work.
• How it helps: Funding or additional benefits may be available for snow removal or other daily living needs.
• Learn more: alberta.ca/aish or call 1-877-644-9992.

Local snow removal services

Several local companies in Medicine Hat offer seasonal snow removal services for older adults or residents with disabilities. Search online or ask Veiner Centre staff for a list of current providers.

Need help applying?

If you need help understanding which program you may qualify for, find local snow removal providers, and/or access forms or make a referral you can contact:

Senior Supports at Unison – Veiner Centre
Assists individuals aged 50+ with accessing programs and services.

225 Woodman Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, AB
403-587-770-1420
hopeh@unisonalberta.com

Medicine Hat Public Library – Social Worker in the Library
Their social work office offers short-term, task-focused support for individuals 18+, providing an entry point into the local system of care.

414 1 St SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0A8
587-770-1421 or 403-977-0912.
mhplsw@shortgrass.ca
Book appointment online