Saintly City Snow Angels Seek Volunteers as Snowfall Piles Up

The Saintly City Snow Angels, a volunteer organization dedicated to clearing snow from sidewalks in St. Paul, Minnesota, finds itself in urgent need of additional volunteers following a significant snowfall this past weekend. With more snow forecasted in the coming days, the group is calling for community members to join their efforts in assisting those unable to shovel their walkways.

Founded in 2020 by Heather Worthington and her husband, Chris Worthington, the initiative began as a response to unshoveled sidewalks in their Midway neighborhood. “We need angels. We need shovelers,” Heather Worthington stated. The group has grown from just 50 members in its inaugural winter to an impressive 1,500 today, expanding its mission to every neighborhood in the city. Its primary goal remains to ensure that elderly and less-abled residents have safe and passable sidewalks during winter months.

Connecting Helpers and Those in Need

The operation is straightforward: individuals requiring assistance post messages on the group’s Facebook page, detailing their location. For instance, a resident might write, “Looking for snow help in the area of West 7th and Forbes Avenue. Thanks so much.” Within hours, a volunteer typically responds, ready to assist.

Heather Worthington chose Facebook as the group’s platform for its user-friendly interface, particularly benefiting the elderly, who comprise a significant portion of those seeking help. “It’s a very user-friendly interface, especially for elderly people,” she explained. Organizations that work with seniors often post on behalf of individuals who may not be online, further extending the reach of the initiative.

Moderators, including Melissa Wenzel, Nikita Godette, and Becky Graham, actively engage in connecting those in need with volunteers. “We are trying to normalize asking for help,” said Wenzel, who manages the group’s spreadsheet that tracks requests for assistance. “We assume people ask for help because they need it.”

Community Spirit Shines Through

The need for assistance spans a wide range of circumstances. Individuals with medical conditions, such as heart issues, and those who rely on delivery services for essential items, have all reached out to the Snow Angels. Volunteers often demonstrate remarkable dedication, sometimes borrowing shovels to fulfill their commitment to help.

One volunteer, Crystal Heflin, travels from Waseca to shovel sidewalks in her former neighborhood. “It’s good for my mental health,” she remarked, emphasizing the personal benefits of helping others. Another new volunteer, Aman Imani, expressed joy after assisting nine individuals on his first day, stating, “I’m happy to be a snow angel! Today was my first day out as a snow angel helping folks around the city, and it was so gratifying.”

The initiative has also seen support from local organizations. Members of the Saint Agnes School wrestling team regularly participate, shoveling sidewalks after their practice sessions. Assistant coach Dean Cummings highlighted the importance of community, saying, “People live by our school. They’re a part of our family, too; we need to take care of them.”

The Saintly City Snow Angels embody a growing sense of community in a time when many feel disconnected. Heather Worthington noted that the initiative was also about fostering relationships among neighbors, allowing them to meet and support each other. “The whole point is to take care of each other. It’s very simple,” she said.

For residents of St. Paul seeking assistance with snow removal or those interested in volunteering, the Saintly City Snow Angels can be found on Facebook, where they continue to build connections and facilitate support within the community.