Senior Shovelling Service

BY JONATHAN RILEY

Digby Courier

NovaNewsNow.com

Digby’s Junior Boys basketball team is offering a shovelling service for seniors this winter.

“This is a beautiful win-win situation for everybody,� says George Duncan who suggested the fundraiser to the team. “I can support the kids to be into sports and not into trouble, they get to earn some money for their team while providing a very important service to the community.�

Duncan says he is still able to do his walkway most days but he likes knowing the boys are there if he gets sick or has to go away.

Mike Bartlett, coach of the junior boys, says he likes to see the boys getting out in the community.

“Hopefully the seniors will see us as a reliable group, familiar faces and someone they know and can trust.�

Bartlett says the 14 boys and their parents will work from a list coordinated by Dawn Thomas, Digby’s Senior Safety Officer.

Ideally he says the seniors will sign up for automatic shovelling but others, like Duncan, might prefer to be on a list and call when they want service.

Thomas says the snow does cause some stress for seniors.

“Transportation becomes more complicated, sidewalks are slippery and finding someone to shovel is just one more stress.

“People are more likely to get out if the walkway is clear,� she says. “Some hesitate to go out and this will make it easier for people to attend social events, let alone doctor’s appointments or shopping.�

Digby’s Canadian Tire store has donated shovels to the project.

Duncan says he used to do a lot of shovelling in his day.

“People worked together then. You just went out and did your neighbours’ driveway. I think we got 50 cents back then.�

The boys are charging $3 a walkway and $7 a driveway. Seniors interested in the service can call Dawn Thomas at the Digby R.C.M.P. detachment at 245-2579 or Mike Bartlett at his Subway store at 245-4645.

jriley@digbycourier.ca