Calls for help overwhelm volunteer shoveling effort in New London
New London – The local effort to organize volunteers to shovel sidewalks for the elderly and disabled has run into a sizable obstacle – a lack of volunteers.
Members of the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which organized the free shoveling initiative, say the number of people who have called for help with shoveling almost immediately outpaced the number of willing volunteers.
The list of people seeking aid has grown to more than 40 as of Monday, with more calls coming in as the snowflakes continue to fly, said Terry Horton, the committee’s volunteer coordinator.
“The phone has been ringing off the hook,” Horton said. “I don’t want to turn people down but I’ve been very honest. I don’t know how long it’s going to take before we can get to you. We’re going to just do what we can do. I can’t make any guarantees.”
The saving grace after Friday’s snowfall was the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which has pledged up to 15 cadets. About nine cadets showed up on Saturday. They met at New London High School where they gathered a list of addresses, split into two groups and completed sidewalk cleanups at 40 homes.
Horton called them an “excited and eager bunch of young kids,” whose work inspired a host of thank-you calls from residents.
The cadets, however, are only available on the weekends.
Horton said she is hoping there are residents who will step forward to volunteer, even if it is just to shovel a few sidewalks in their own neighborhood. The committee has obtained 30 shovels from the city.
The committee last week made a plea to the school system, hoping there might be a group of high school students willing to shovel. The committee has not yet heard back from the schools. They are now reaching out to local Boy Scout troops.
Anyone willing to volunteer should call (860) 333-8750 or email pedestrian.nl@gmail.com to volunteer. Visit www.facebook.com/PACnewlondon/ for more information.
g.smith@theday.com
Twitter: @SmittyDay
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