Snow Angels: Winter is coming!

Laboure won’t leave Southie seniors in the lurch this winter!

Just last weekend the Laboure Center announced its newest Winter service for the area’s elderly, called “Snow Angels.”

“We are so excited to launch the South Boston Snow Angels Project,” said Jake Bombard, Laboure’s Executive Director. “Snow removal can be daunting for many of our elderly and disabled loved ones. When there are large snowfalls, seniors who cannot shovel themselves out can face isolation and immobility. Those seniors who do try to remove snow themselves face the possibility of serious injuries or falls. And paying to have snow removed may not always be an option for the 40% of South Boston seniors living in households of less than $20,000. With this volunteer program, we are hoping to make a real impact in people’s lives, while giving people yet another way to feel connected to their neighbors and their community.”
“We want to make sure that our elders are feeling safe and supported during the Winter months and this program supports our isolated, frail and disabled residents by creating opportunities for neighbors to meet and connect,” added Bombard.

Volunteers for the Snow Angels program could prevent falls on ice, back injuries, and other serious and debilitating injuries for seniors or disabled residents trying to clear snow alone.

Residents who qualify to receive the services of a “snow angle” must be over 65 years of age or have a disability. Volunteers must be South Boston Residents. “Captains” will oversee snow angel volunteers who agree to monitor a 10 block zone. All volunteers are given shovels and rock salt to get the job done. Bombard is hoping to recruit about 70 volunteers. Interested volunteers can contact the Laboure Center Jake directly at 617-308-4922 or visit their website here.

“This month is about recruiting volunteers so that we can order the supplies, and in January we will be more geared toward recruiting people who want and need the service,” said Bombard.

“The snow angels’ service was Laboure’s response to the “Age-Friendly Boston Action Plan 2017” put forth by the Mayor’s Commission on Affairs of the Elderly in May,” Bombard said.