Organize a #Snowcrew Yeti Shoveling Party

This winter has been brutal, and there is more snow on the way. So how are we going to get through this? Together!

This weekend, I drove up from DC to help shovel and get first-hand experience of what Snowcrew.org volunteer Yetis have been experiencing. Of the six places I've dug out so far, the ones I shoveled out with other Yetis went a lot faster and were much for fun.

Below is a plan that Brendan from WalkBoston and I have come up with to make shoveling more fun so that more neighbors in need will get shoveled out, and we can make our cities and towns more walkable.

We propose that you organize a #Snowcrew Yeti Shoveling Party in your neighborhood.

Here's how:

Step 1: Sign up for Snowcrew.org to find out which of your neighbors in your neighborhood need assistance shoveling. If you need help shoveling, choose "Request Assistance."

Step 2: Engage your neighbors to join you by posting to your neighborhoods social network on Nextdoor.com. Be sure to suggest a time and place to meet. I also recommend you ask to see if anyone know anyone in your neighborhood needs help shoveling - see my previous post titled "Lend a hand to those who are not able to shovel." (Disclosure - I work for Nextdoor).

Step 3: Go shovel and take lots of pictures and post them to Twitter using #Snowcrew.

Step 4: Celebrate your good work and get warm by patronizing a local restaurant, pub, or coffee shop.

What to shovel:

• Elder neighbors, neighbors with access and functional needs, injured neighbors, and those who are sick and have young children that cannot be left unattended
• Fire hydrants
• Curb cuts, pedestrian islands in the middle of the street, and bus stops

Tips to shovel safely:

• Avoid heavy meals and alcohol before heading out
• Stretch beforehand
• Dress warmly
• Do not work to the point of exhaustion
• If you run out of breath, take a break
• Drinks lots of water
• Lift with your legs bent, not your back
• Keep your back straight
• Shovel slowly and shovel small scoops
• Spray your shovel with cooking spray
• Shovel with a neighbor or group of neighbors

Ideas to make room for more snow:

• Pack the tops of mounds of snow down
• Make terraces on the sides of snow mounds
• Carry snow to places where there is room

Warmly,

Joseph Porcelli
Founder and Volunteer Organizer of #Snowcrew
Senior City Strategist, Nextdoor.com

Brendan Kearney
Communication Manager, Walk Boston