CCOB Loves and Supports Our Broomfield Seniors By Jennifer Hoffman, City and County Manager
It’s no secret - I love our seniors. From cutting hair after-hours, to water aerobics at the Bay, I make time to fill my cup by simply being surrounded by Broomfield’s senior community.
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o when the COVID-19 lockdowns started in 2020, it quickly became apparent that seniors would be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic both because of increased vulnerability to the virus and because of the greater isolation some seniors would experience during lockdowns. I knew we had to step up for our seniors. Early on we committed to continuing to provide freshly made, nutritious meals through our Meals-on-Wheels program versus the frozen alternative most transitioned to, recognizing the demand would be more important than ever during extended isolation. We also supported mask, book, and craft delivery for those 60+, expanded prescription and grocery delivery options, made regular phone calls, and created new programs and solutions as needs came up. Additionally, we expanded the relatively new SnowPal program, which I came up with a few years earlier, to help connect volunteers with seniors and others who needed help with snow shoveling. As the program evolved, a growing need for yard work and connection evolved, thus the Broomfield Pals Program was born quickly in the COVID lockdown. As winter came, calls were quickly made for volunteers, and since then, 38 volunteers have provided regular assistance with outdoor projects to 50 of their neighbors. Not all residents who need assistance are seniors. Some Broomfield Pals participants have medical conditions that prohibit them from engaging in physically demanding activity while others provide 24-hour care to members of their households, leaving them unable to take the couple hours necessary to complete outdoor chores. The Broomfield Pals program exists to fill these gaps, connect neighbors, and ensure Broomfield residents receive the support they need to care for their homes. Throughout the past year, Broomfield Pals volunteers shoveled snow from sidewalks, driveways, and walkways, ensuring neighbors could safely enter and exit their homes. They mowed lawns, raked leaves, pulled weeds, and installed fence posts to ensure neighbors had beautiful outdoor spaces and remained in compliance with the municipal code. These volunteers have provided reliable support that their neighbors have come to depend on. One of the most inspiring things about the Broomfield Pals program are the relationships formed between volunteers and
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Our Broomfield™ Magazine | November 2021
There is a growing demand in Broomfield for snow shoveling and yard work support. At least 25 additional Snow Pal volunteers are needed to provide regular snow shoveling assistance for Broomfield neighbors. Volunteers will be matched with one or more residents for the entire snow season and are asked to remove snow by noon of the day following the snowfall. For more information and to sign-up to volunteer, please visit Broomfield.org/BroomfieldPals.
their neighbors. Conversations and in-person interaction when a volunteer swings by a neighbor’s home provide important opportunities for social connection. Residents who are isolated during the week find these interactions especially meaningful. Sometimes these relationships grow into friendships between neighbors. A number of volunteers stay in touch with their Pals yearround. Some have found themselves attending outings together or helping with projects beyond the snow shoveling season. It’s these connections between neighbors that fuel the small-town sense of community that Broomfield is known for fostering. To all Broomfield Pals volunteers who have dedicated time to shoveling sidewalks and mowing lawns this past year, thank you for being a great Broomfield neighbor. Your service makes Broomfield more resilient and strengthens our ‘small-town’ community.
With Gratitude,
Jennifer Hoffman
