With winter just around the corner, Sarnia residents are asked to volunteer in a program that would help seniors and those with disabilities.
The City of Sarnia and Lambton Elderly Outreach have partnered together for the Adopt-a-Driveway program. Volunteers would help by shoveling snow from sidewalks and driveways at specified homes from December through to April.
The city's Accessibility Coordinator Dale Mosley said this is the program's third year of operation, however, the program has been expanded this year to include more residences.
"We ran the program as a pilot for the last two years just to determine the viability of it. We found that it was very successful," he said. "We're looking to expand the program a bit through our partnership with Lambton Elderly Outreach, so that would take probably 90 volunteers just to ensure that we cover off all the driveways we're expanding to."
Mosley said last year, they had enough volunteers to clear snow at 20 residences. This year, the goal is to assist at 40 residences.
"It creates a caring community," he said. "It shows that our neighbours are looking out for one another so this type of program is really important because it allows our seniors and people with disabilities to access and participate fully in the community, no matter the weather condition."
The Adopt-a-Driveway program is funded by a one-time grant with the Royal Bank of Canada through the Sarnia Community Foundation and the province of Ontario’s New Horizons grant.
Recognition awards will be handed out to volunteers. Awards include the Most Neighbourly Student Award, the Good Neighbour Shout Out, Most Driveways by an Individual or Team, and Most Driveways by a Business. Award recipients and the time of distribution will be determined by a steering committee.
Lambton Elderly Outreach will match volunteers with clients. Inquiries regarding client opportunities can be directed to Community Engagement Specialist Amy Weiler at aweiler@lambtonelderlyoutreach.org or 519-845-1353 ext. 310.
Those interested in becoming a volunteer can contact the city at hr@sarnia.ca or 519-332-0330 ext. 3307.
