Snow Angel Program helps seniors in communities

Posted on October 22, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Heather Cameron
Sunny South News

The towns of Coaldale and Coalhurst have a Snow Angel Program.
Becky Fitton, Community Services Supervisor with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) explained that the program is a volunteer-based snow-removal program that helps seniors remain safe in their homes during winter months.

“The purpose of the program is to identify individuals in need, who cannot shovel their sidewalks and/or driveways due to age, illness, or injury,” stressed Fitton. “Winter presents particular challenges: unshoveled sidewalks limit mobility, increase fall risk, and further isolate vulnerable individuals. Snow Angels addresses this essential safety gap while strengthening volunteer-driven community capacity. Also, it costs a lot of money to hire a company for snow removal, and many seniors are on a fixed income and simply do not have the means to pay out of pocket, although they need it.  Once residents get a sign up identifying the need for help, we encourage neighbours and community members who are able-bodied to lend a hand with snow removal.”

FCSS, Fitton noted, collaborates with the Town of Coaldale and the Town of Coalhurst to provide eligible participants with a Snow Angel sign for their property, and also registers participants and recruits volunteers to support their neighbours with snow removal as necessary.

“We were getting a lot of calls from seniors asking if we helped with snow removal, so we saw a need for this type of support for low-income individuals,” said Fitton.

There is no cost associated with the program, Fitton added, but eligible participants must reside at the property, have a condition or disability preventing them from participating in snow removal activities, and not have any other able-bodied person residing in the home to assist shoveling snow.

Those who want more information about the free offered program or want to register can contact FCSS Senior Support Services at (403) 915-7063 or FCSS Community Support Services at (403) 795-4627, or there is more information and registration forms available online at fcss.ca/seniors/. Those who want to volunteer for the program, can contact FCSS in the same way.

The program will start in November, and participants who register for Snow Angels can pick up their signs in Coaldale or Coalhurst on Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 from the FCSS office, and the program will go until the snow stops falling.

“Residents in Coaldale and Coalhurst have been very grateful for the support during the winter months to keep their sidewalks clear,” said Fitton. “This reduces isolation and allows seniors to get out of the house, staying connected with personal and professional supports. Volunteers also get a lot out of helping fellow community members, and the satisfaction of knowing they are making a positive impact on others.”