PORTLAND, Maine — If you live in Portland and are 65 or older, you could qualify to get a helping hand from a volunteer community member to help clear your walkways, staircase, and driveways after snow storms.
The program is part of the Age-Friendly Portland Steering Committee, and through it, you could be matched with a neighborhood volunteer willing to do the shoveling for you. Typically volunteers get one house to do, but right now the city needs more volunteers and some are getting two houses until more volunteers sign up.
Volunteers are needed in most of the Portland neighborhoods: Rosemont, North Deering, Nason's Corner, Deering Center, Riverton, and Back Cove.
Becky Junkins is one of the volunteers and said the seniors are so thankful that her work is all worth it.
"We are looking for people to come after the snow has finished ideally and clear walkways, sidewalks, stairways, access to the road, access to the vehicle, and just to ensure it's a safe situation for our neighbors," Junkins said.
Those helping hands will need to shovel the steps and path from the front door to the sidewalk.
"For me, I lived across the United States for a long time in warm weather and during that time I think God was good to have people serving my family members in this capacity, so it was really important for me when I moved back to Maine to continue that work," Junkins explained.
Right now, 130 senior citizens need a hand, and many volunteers are needed.
"The qualifications I think are just being able to have a shovel, being able to use it, I think, and a little bit of resiliency when it comes to the snow storms and a heart to serve your neighbors," Junkins said.
Volunteers are not asked to shovel entire driveways or clear snow from roofs. The idea is to clear a path that allows the senior citizen, emergency response personnel, Meals on Wheels delivery people, mail carriers, and other visitors to get in and out of the house safely.
Once a volunteer receives an assignment, they agree to shovel for the same elderly resident(s) after each snowstorm.
You can call 207-541-6620 for more information or to request assistance.
For more information or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Linda Weare by sending an email to agefriendlycommunity@portlandmaine.gov.