With hazardous weather on the horizon, the Evanston Commission on Aging offers residents 62 and older some neighborly care at no cost.
Ombudsman Nancy Flowers said the group’s goal is “to identify (Evanston’s) needs and look at ways those needs can get met.” This is how the snow shoveling, raking, and yard work program launched about 8 years ago, when a blizzard hit the area. Flowers and others took on the challenge of helping the senior population, some of whom could not leave their homes.
“They were panicked, they were crying, they were fearful,” Flowers said. “Some individuals were afraid of getting ill and being unable to get their medications or make their doctor’s appointments.”
Each winter, snowplows must clear the streets efficiently, but workers do not always watch for driveways, Flowers said. If snow is not cleared quickly, then it will freeze into ice, and this can be hazardous for the seniors.
Through collaboration with community groups, Flowers was able to link 75 seniors with volunteers. Although residents were willing to pay for the service, Flowers recruited Northwestern and high school students who would shovel for free.
“I would have students leaving messages saying how wonderful an experience it had been,” Flowers said. “They just felt so great they were helping people.”
McCormick senior Ben Whitcher is in his third year with the program. He said he found it to be a good opportunity for students who want to serve the community but are juggling other responsibilities.
“It’s just practical,” Whitcher said. “It’s something that costs money and some people are unable to afford someone to do it.”
Each year, calls for volunteers are sent out through the commission’s newsletter, Highlights, as well as placed in local newspapers.
“We need a new crew every year because if you don’t get enough volunteers, you can run out,” Flowers said.
Currently, the commission has about five volunteers and approximately 20 calls from residents requesting assistance.
During the past few years, Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops have volunteered their time to the program. Tom Conroy, the scout master for Boy Scout Troop 12, said he encourages the boys, ages 12 to 18, to help year round.
The troop’s involvement in the project has helped to validate his involvement in scouting, Conroy said. Community service is mandatory as part of the Boy Scout’s philosophy “Leave No Trace.”
“It was a good opportunity to show what we could do outside of our circle,” Conroy said.
Conroy found it difficult sometimes to organize the troop’s volunteer efforts because of timing and logistical factors.
For example, the troop was called in to help with flooded basements after storms hit Evanston and the surrounding areas in August. At the time, however, some of the boys and their families were on vacation and they were unable to help.
Still, Conroy sees this interaction with seniors as a learning experience for the boys.
“We’re teaching about selflessly helping others,” he said. “It’s hard for them to do that on their own sometimes.”
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