FOR the sixth consecutive year, Richmond’s volunteer Snow Angels are back and ready to lend a hand to those in need of assistance this winter. Heavy snowfall can cause challenges for some Richmond residents including elderly citizens and persons with health or mobility challenges and volunteers can help by removing snow from sidewalks, walkways and driveways.

If you are in need of assistance, or there is an advanced forecast of a winter storm with an estimate of five centimetres or more of snow, contact a Snow Angel Coordinator by calling City Hall at 604-276-4000, the Community Services Department at 604-244-1208 or your closest community centre. A full contact list of Snow Angel Coordinators can be found at www.richmond.ca/winter.

This program is volunteer-driven and is dependent on resources, severity of the storm and the priority needs of callers. Although assistance is not guaranteed, participating volunteers will make every effort to help all qualified callers.

If you would like to become a Snow Angel volunteer, recruitment is now underway. You may select the geographic community you wish to serve or you can choose to provide your services city-wide. The choice is yours. Simply contact the Parks Programs Coordinator at 604-247-4453 or parks@richmond.ca for more information.

In addition to the Snow Angels program, the City of Richmond encourages its residents and community members to ‘Be a Good Neighbour.’ This program is as simple as able-bodied residents assisting those who may not be able to clear their walkways in front of their homes. There is no registry or dispatch to call, it’s just something to keep in mind when the white stuff starts to fall.

For more information on other snow removal services, volunteering as a Snow Angel, and other winter preparedness information, visit www.richmond.ca/winter.