When you are lying face up in the snow, spread out your arms and legs, and then bring them in that is known as a snow angel.
For the employees at the Colonie Manor, a retirement community in Colonie, a snow angel is also an emblem of hospitality.
The Snow Angels Program, which provides snow shoveling and other services free to area seniors, was born after a winter storm in 2006 when Colonie Manor’s executive director, Brandi Kerber, received several phone calls from people throughout the region asking if they could lend a hand in shoveling a walkway or serving a hot meal.
So that’s kind of how we started it,` said Kerber. `Because that tends to be when most of the needs come.`
Kerber said that the needs of the seniors who call the Snow Angels Program range from requests for help to just wanting to hear a kind voice on the other line.
`There really has been nothing unusual,` Kerber said. `It’s always very reasonable, very simple things. One lady just wanted someone to talk to because she was a little nervous.`
According to Meryl Wolf-Schreiner, director of community relations at Colonie Manor, the program has helped seniors in Albany, Latham, Troy and Saratoga. It has even helped seniors in Queensbury.
`Our first and foremost motto is that someone lives safely somewhere,` Wolf-Schreiner said.
There is no specific criteria to fit to become a volunteer in the program, and Snow Angels operates only when there is snow on the ground.
As such, there are no definitive dates of when the program begins and ends each year.
`So if it snows in April, we’ll be angels until April,` Wolf-Schreiner said.
However, the Colonie Manor does have several programs year-round that promote the same community care that Snow Angels prides itself on.
`We offer respite stays, or we will go and visit you in your home, and that would also carry over into the summer,` said Wolf-Schreiner. `We’re just there to be little angels and help people out.`
Since starting the program three winters ago, Kerber said she has seen the number of calls increase dramatically. This year, she believes the influx of calls is due mostly to the spread of word about the program through hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
Wolf-Schreiner said the program is rewarding not only for the seniors who reap the benefits, but also the volunteers who fulfill their requests.
`It just makes you feel so good when you go out and do a good deed,` she said.
While the Capital District saw its first heavy snowfall last weekend, Wolf-Schreiner said she expects many more are ahead, which means plenty of work for the Snow Angels.
`We’re having a lot of snow this winter, and so volunteers would be great because I have a feeling we’re going to be very busy little angels,` she said.
To receive Snow Angels assistance or to volunteer, contact Wolf-Schreiner at 783-8695.
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