SPOKANE, Wash. – As the first winter storm system settles into the region, a dusting of snow is falling around Spokane. While very little is sticking this time around, it’s a good reminder to prepare for winter season and get your shovels ready!
For many, however, shoveling the walk isn’t so easy. The elderly and those with disabilities or other health issues often have decreased mobility. Getting around may be challenging even in the best conditions, but heavy snowfall can leave vulnerable members of the community stranded.
Luckily, there is a way to help out! If you’d like to pitch in to pitch some snow, you can volunteer to “Adopt A Neighbor.”
Organized by the Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW), this initiative is a community-driven effort, with volunteers from Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry, and Whitman counties all coming together to lend a hand during the winter.
Interested individuals, businesses, organizations, and more can contact ALTCEW after deciding how many community members they can adopt. When ALTCEW receives a call from someone in need of assistance, they’ll reach out to volunteers in the area and provide you with the contact info.
From there, you or your group will contact your neighbor directly and coordinate a time to clear the snow. Not only will you be providing an essential service, you’ll be able to reach out and engage with your neighbor personally, building up a sense of community and bringing an extra bit of warmth and compassion to your neighbors.
If you or your group would enjoy volunteering to “Adopt A Neighbor,” contact ALTCEW at action@altcew.org, or call 509-960-7281.
