Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara
The
VOICE
Vol.15 No.40
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the year ahead
Have snow shovel, will be a snow angel BY SARAH MURRELL VOICE Staff When it snows Ron Kiers hops on his four-wheel drive to clear his driveway in rural Pelham. But when his own property is clear of snow, Kiers isn’t finished, that’s when he’s just getting started. Kiers is a snow angel, a volunteer who clears snow and ice for those who are unable to do the shoveling themselves. “It’s good exercise,” said Kiers on why he volunteers to shovel sidewalks. “It gets me out of the house and gives me something to do.” Kiers, whose first year volunteering with the program was last year, explained the town provided the addresses of two properties. When it snowed, Kiers would shovel the sidewalks of
the two properties within the 24hour limit set by the town’s snow clearing bylaw. The Snow Angel program is a partnership between Pelham Cares and the Town of Pelham to provide snow clearing services to those who qualify, regardless of age. The purpose of the program is to clear snow and ice from municipal sidewalks and the windrow at driveway entrances left by snowplows. It does not include clearing of driveways. The service is provided for those who live in the urban area, are incapable of shoveling snow themselves and have no one living with them who is able to shovel. The Snow Angel program is truly, “the neighbourly thing to do”. This program encourages citizens to help in their neighbourhood those who need assistance with
snow removal. “Just helping out the community,” says Kiers on why he enjoys being part of the program, adding he hopes more schools and other volunteers will get involved this year. Kiers added he received a card last year, thanking him for his help, and he definitely felt appreciated and a sense of satisfaction for helping others in the community. Not only did Kiers help, but he lives in North Pelham, where the snow angel program is not provided. So every time it snowed he would throw his snow shovel in the back of his truck, drive to town, and shovel sidewalks. He says he doesn’t mind the cold, he dresses appropriately, and doesn’t mind shoveling to help others. Volunteers are screened and trained by the Town
of Pelham before they are matched with a resident. Students 14 years of age or older are welcome to volunteer and can use these hours as part of their Community Involvement Program. Application forms to volunteer or receive the snow angels program are available in person at the Town of Pelham, 20 Pelham Town Square or at the Town’s website at www.pelham.ca. They are also available in person at Pelham Cares Inc., 124 Highway #20 East (the former Donut Diner building) or at www.pelhamcares.org. Along with the bylaw requiring sidewalks to be cleared within 24 hours of a snowfall, residents are also reminded there is no parking on roads overnight during winter months to help snow plow drivers navigate the roads.
RON KIERS is willing to shovel sidewalks for those in this community who can’t do the heavy work of shovelling snow as one of Pelham’s Snow Angels. Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo
HOLIDAY GREETINGS
THE ARTISTS whose drawings were chosen to create the town’s annual holiday card were recognized at council Monday night with certificates and a pack of the cards they can send to friends and family. The young artists are Jacob Maclachlan (back, left), Claire McClay, Liliana McIntosh (whose drawing is the front cover of the card), Kaye Change, Christie Tran, Abbey McCulligh (front, left), Megan Metler, Emily Paquin, Melanie Lachnit, Adrianna Bonazzo, and Sam Reynolds, with Mayor Dave Augustyn. Absent from the photo was Ellie Phelan. Mayor Augustyn called all of the entries “beautiful works of art” that took a lot of time and effort, noting he appreciated the work of all the young people who took part in the contest. Sarah Murrell/Voice Photo
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