Snowbusters are on the job to help clear snow in Winchester

WINCHESTER, Va. (DC News Now) — A few good samaritans are bundling up and answering the call, helping to keep people safe amid the snowfall.

The Snowbusters program consists of volunteers being sent out to different parts of the city to clear sidewalks for residents who qualify for the service. Since its creation, volunteers have helped over 124 households.

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“It’s very important to have those sidewalks cleared in a timely manner but we didn’t want to enforce those rules without at least providing some opportunity, particularly for the elderly and the disabled to get some assistance from their neighbors,” City Manager, Dan Hoffman, said.

“A lot of folks do it with their kids, just as a way to get out and learn some lessons about responsibility and good citizenship,” Hoffman added.

Snowbuster volunteer Tony Landa said helping with shoveling snow not only keeps people safe but is a way to engage with the community.

“I think that obviously, it’s really helpful to the people that can’t do it, but it’s great for the community on several levels,” Landa said. “I think that keeping the sidewalks cleared is great to get people safe, and make it easier to walk around, but also just building that sense of community, I think is important.”

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Winchester Residents such as Barbra Baltimore rely on the helpful service.

“It’s very important because it’s very dangerous to shovel snow at an older age and even when you’re young too, so I’m very appreciative of the program,” Baltimore said.

City officials said the program is always looking for more volunteers to help out. Anyone interested in signing up to volunteer can click here.

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