It’s great exercise for core, arms and legs with tons of fresh air, lots of Vitamin D, and it makes you feel good all over, while providing an essential service to those Cochranites who otherwise could feel stranded.
And the Helping Hands Society of Cochrane and Area is looking for more snow shovellers.
Vita Hopkins was just back from Mexico when she shared her thoughts about why she’s a volunteer snow shoveller.
“Helping Hands is such an appropriate name for our organization. Where a helping hand is needed, we give it,” she said.
“Snow Shovelling is such a big part of this. When our clients see us coming the relief is so obvious on their faces. Most times it’s a smile and a wave through the window. They had an appointment or home care is coming, and with the sidewalks cleared it takes such a worry away,” Hopkins said.
And there may be some fringe benefits involved.
“One of my clients is definitely trying to fatten me up with Swiss Chocolates and another one usually has a muffin or cookie ready,” she said. “Good thing I get exercise shovelling.”
Hopkins said the treats are nice but that’s not why she does it.
“It enhances my sense of community, plus I go away knowing that the person inside is feeling more secure and independent.”
“Plus it is darn good exercise and it doesn’t take that long out of our day.”
Hopkins has already logged 638 volunteer hours with Helping Hands in 2023 alone.
Fellow shoveller Francine Wieliczko has been lending her hands (and back) to the program for a couple of years now.
She got involved because she knew there was a need out there.
“Some people aren’t able to do it themselves, and I’m able-bodied so I thought that was a way I could give back to the community,” Wieliczko said.
She’s paired up with another volunteer, and they typically do a couple of houses whenever they go out.
“It’s rewarding, and not necessarily because I form relationships with clients, because I work full time and I’m often shovelling between seven and eight in the morning, so they may not be up and about,” she explained.
But sometimes they greet her at the door, and they’re very grateful, Wieliczko said.
She said they occasionally will open the door and say thanks, but that’s not an expectation that she has.
“It gives clients the opportunity to live independently a little bit longer,” she added.
The volunteer list for shovellers is down a bit compared to previous years, so they are looking for people to sign up. To volunteer for this or any of their other programs go to helpinghandscochrane.ca or call (587) 580-9448.
