Why volunteering for Snow Buddies is so rewarding

When the City launched its Snow Buddies program five years ago, Bill and Karen Desmarais saw a great opportunity to volunteer and help their neighbors.

They have been at it every year since.

"Volunteering is just part of our nature," Bill says. "We enjoy helping people, and they are very appreciative and thankful. So we keep coming back."

Volunteers like Bill and Karen are the lifeblood of Snow Buddies, a program meant to assist residents who are not physically able to remove snow from their sidewalks on their own. Those residents are paired with "Snow Heroes" who volunteer their time and snow removal equipment to help out.

"We know how important it is for the community to be able to use safe, accessible sidewalks no matter the time of year," said Stephanie Schrader, Community Services Coordinator for the City of Cedar Rapids.

Residents in need
The demand for assistance is higher than ever this year, and the City needs more volunteers to meet that demand.

"I think it would be great to get more people involved so that the city can expand the program," said volunteer Andi Fuemmeler. "The more people that get involved and spread the word about it, the better."

The Fuemmeler family has taken part in Snow Buddies for the past four years. Andi says she was looking for things her family could volunteer for as a group. She noted that the program aims to pair Snow Heroes with Snow Buddies who live in the same neighborhood, to make it easier and more convenient for everyone.

"It doesn't take a lot of time, and our kids get to see that it's important to help serve other people," Andi says. "It only takes a few minutes, and it's a great way to help people who can't get out and do this themselves."

Snow Hero volunteer Cole Thomas added that the heavy snow the City has received so far this season has made it clear just how many people need help.

"We definitely need more people to volunteer," he said. "It makes it easier, the more people that we have to lend a hand."

'I did my part'
This year, Andi and her family were paired with Paulette Wenzel, who had back surgery earlier this year. Paulette says she explored snow removal options, but found them to be too expensive. Then she saw Snow Buddies on the news, and decided to give the program a try.

"This is a blessing, and these people are awesome," she says, "If you have it in you, and if you're physically capable, I highly recommend that you help us older people that can't get out to do it."

Jeff Wozencraft is both a member of the City staff and a Snow Buddy volunteer. In fact, Jeff has served as a Snow Hero since the program's beginning. He loves that the program allows him to connect with neighbors and ensure their safety.

Paying it Forward
"Sidewalks are an important piece of our transportation network," Jeff says. "I like knowing that I did my part to make sure that people can get across the City walking safely."

After moving to Cedar Rapids last year from Champaign, Illinois, volunteer Tristen Kissack signed up for Snow Buddies as a way to get exercise - and to "pay it forward."

"I knew that I would want someone to help one of my family members if they needed something like this," he says.

After being paired with his Snow Buddy earlier this year, Tristen gave her a call to introduce himself. "She was just a ray of sunshine," he says. "She's so great that it makes doing things like this worth it. You know you're helping out someone else who needs it in the community."

How to sign up
Snow Heroes can sign up here. Snow Heroes must be at least 18 years old and provide their own snow-removal equipment. Snow Heroes will be paired with residents based on factors such as location and availability.
"If you're out shoveling your own sidewalk and someone next door can't do it, help them out, because we're all here to help each other," says Karen Desmarais. "Snow Heroes can help give something back to the community. And that's a very important thing to do."

In the news
Snow Buddies volunteers have been featured in local media quite a bit this season. Here are a few examples!

Iowa's News Now on CBS2

Everyday Iowa on KCRG