New Ro Snow Angels Kick Off

On Sunday, January 19, 2014. the New Ro Snow Angels held its kickoff meeting. The goal of the New Ro Snow Angels is to match young people who are willing to shovel snow as a volunteer for people who cannot. Unfortunately, New Rochelle has an aging population that still lives in their own homes and need help with more rigorous chores like shoveling snow. Fortunately, New Rochelle also has a large community of young people who willingly volunteer their time to help those who cannot always manage.

Snow Angels programs exist in other towns and villages, but New Rochelle did not have one. The New Rochelle program was organized by Jared Rice, New Rochelle City Council Member from District 3, and Joyce Furfero, Co-Chair of the New Rochelle Confederation of Neighborhood Associations, after Ms. Furfero watched Westchester County Legislator Sheila Marcotte “facebook” for angels during the last snowstorm. Ms. Furfero then happened to post a casual comment on Councilman Rice’s Facebook page about getting the young people together to shovel snow for the older and/or disabled persons, to which he replied, “I’ll help,” and the rest is history.

Councilman Rice said, “This program is a great way for high school students, boy and girl scouts, and just young people in general to help out their neighbors and, at the same time, to earn community service credit. I am signed up to be an Angel.”

Organizing “Angel,” Lily Grantcharova added, “This is a great way for young people to bond and get to know others in their communities. It is also beneficial as a community service act for specific programs such as the National Honors Society, which is a major program for ambitious students in high school.”

Those who would like to volunteer and those who need help can contact Ms. Furfero and Councilman Rice by emailing them at newrosnowangels@gmail.com or by tweeting them @NewRoSnowAngels or by requesting membership to the New Ro Snow Angels Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/newro.snowangels, or by calling them, Joyce Furfero at (914) 325-5230 and Jared Rice at (914) 469-4313.

Sign up now, before the next big snowstorm!