Winchester launches Snowbusters volunteer program to clear sidewalks for seniors and residents with disabilities

The City of Winchester launched a volunteer program called Snowbusters last December to help residents who cannot clear snow from sidewalks, city officials said.

Kit Redmer, communications director for the City of Winchester, said the city experienced three major snow events last winter and that not everyone can meet the city charter requirement to clear sidewalks. "That potentially creates an unsafe situation for our residents," Redmer said, and the Snowbusters network was created to assist qualifying neighbors at no charge.

The program enlists resident volunteers who are deployed after snowstorms to clear sidewalks for households that sign up. Residents and volunteers each register through short forms on the city's website or by contacting the city communications team. City officials said nearly 35 volunteers responded in the program's first winter and assisted about 140 Winchester families.

Volunteers and officials emphasized both safety and community benefits. "It's really helpful to the people who can't do it, because otherwise you just wouldn't get it done," said Tony Land, a resident who spoke about the program's impact. Redmer added that some volunteers bring their children as a way to teach responsibility and civic engagement.

The city said Snowbusters' stated goal is to clear sidewalks in front of homes of senior citizens and people with disabilities who sign up for the service; volunteers in several cases went beyond that and cleared driveways as well. The city is continuing to recruit additional volunteers to expand the program's reach.

A lawmaker later rose on the floor to recognize the Snowbusters, praising the initiative as a demonstration of neighbors coming together to help one another and commending volunteers for their community service.

Reporting from Winchester, Virginia, Skyler Salus, for DC News Now.