Snow Angels help Regina residents across the city clear snowfall

As winter weather continues to challenge Regina, a group of community volunteers is stepping in to make sure seniors and residents with mobility challenges are not left stranded after snowfalls.

In neighbourhoods like Lakeview and Cathedral, Snow Angels volunteers are clearing sidewalks and steps for homeowners who can’t manage snow removal on their own. With more snow expected, organizers say the need for help remains high.

Read more:

“We match volunteers with homeowners who need a bit more assistance,” said Aimee Penner-Mayoh, the Snow Angels co-ordinator for Regina’s Lakeview neighbourhood.

“Our volunteers try to get out within 24 hours to shovel sidewalks and steps.”

The Snow Angels program operates through community associations across Regina, pairing volunteers with homeowners who struggle to keep up with snow removal. Many participants are seniors or people recovering from surgery, and some require ongoing support throughout the winter.

Penner-Mayoh said the program has been running in Lakeview for about four years and the demand continues to grow as season goes on.

“As the winter progresses, we always have more people who thought they could manage the snow but found that it was too much,” she said.

The Lakeview program has 15 volunteers helping 15 households. Penner-Mayoh said volunteers often go beyond their assigned homes during major snowfalls.

“When we’ve had big snowfalls, volunteers just come out and help each other out,” she said. “They often shovel homes that aren’t even on our list.”

Longtime volunteer Mark Nielsen said he joined the Snow Angels program in 2019 after the city introduced bylaws requiring residents to clear their sidewalks. He said helping seniors who can’t afford private snow removal services was a primary reason he got involved.

“A lot of these people are on pensions and can’t afford to have someone come shovel for them,” Nielsen said. “Once you start doing it, you realize the mobility isn’t quite there.”

Nielsen said the program gave homeowners confidence that their walkways would be cleared in a timely manner, allowing them to safely get outside.

“They know their walkway is going to be shovelled, so they can get out, go for a walk or do what they need to do,” he said.

Following the recent snowfall, Nielsen said he was out early in the morning clearing snow for neighbours as well as the homeowner he was matched with.

“I was out shovelling my neighbour’s and my driveway at about 5:30 in the morning,” he said.

Both Nielsen and Penner-Mayoh said one of the most rewarding parts of the program is the relationships formed between volunteers and homeowners. Over time, those connections often grew into friendships.

“You kind of get a sense when they come out and say ‘hi’ or give you a little present,” Nielsen said. “That part’s much appreciated.”

With winter far from over, Penner-Mayoh said the program is always looking for additional volunteers. She also encourages other community associations to consider starting Snow Angels programs in their own neighbourhoods, noting the City of Regina could help groups get organized.

Residents looking for a Snow Angels program in their neighbourhood could find a list of participating communities on the City of Regina website.

Read more: