The list, which is available at city hall, gives seniors and housebound residents the ability to contact the volunteers to have the snow shoveled off their driveways and sidewalks for free.
“It’s absolutely free. It’s a win-win for everybody, because these groups love going out and helping other people,” Russell-Hodgson said.
The program started more than a decade ago, when Centerville leaders realized a growing need for help in shoveling snow following significant weather events in the city.
Louise, who asked to withhold her last name for safety reasons, is a Centerville senior citizen who has received help from the volunteer program for the last two winters.
“I used the service twice; once this year and once last year,” she told this newspaper as she waited for a volunteer to remove snow after this latest winter blast. “These young men are so ready, and so eager and so happy to be doing this.”
Russell-Hodgson said the list of about 10 volunteer groups includes some church groups, sports teams and other community members. Those volunteers work to clear the snow off of the driveways and sidewalks of the 45 citizens who request assistance from the program.
“If you like to shovel, if you like to be out in the cold and want to help somebody, we’d be glad to take you for our list,” Russell-Hodgson said.
Moraine city officials offer a program for its seniors and disabled citizens in which the city street department clears their driveways after city streets are cleared. Residents in Moraine must place themselves on the list by calling city offices.
Springboro had a program like Centerville’s in 2010, but city leaders discontinued it after it was underutilized by residents, according to Springboro City Manager Chris Thompson.
Centerville resident George Ballance said he’s thankful the city he lives in offers a helping hand.
“This weather is really cold, so anything that you can do to help the seniors out I really think is a good program,” Ballance said.
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