We may not be getting the kind of snowfall that’s literally freezing some parts of the country in their tracks, but Old Man Winter is certainly upon us. Which means if there’s more than two inches of snow on the ground, a merry band of Aurora volunteers spread out across neighborhoods to help seniors clear their sidewalks, stoops and driveways.
It probably comes as no surprise that Curtis Wilson, the city’s 2024 first-ever Volunteer of the Year, is among those “Snow Angels.”
Ever since Operation Senior Shovel was officially launched in December of 2021 by Katrina Boatright, who heads up the city’s Senior and Disability Services Division, Wilson has been putting in plenty of hours – on weekends and before or after his job as a clinical research analyst, to make sure the elderly or disabled have a clear path outside their homes.
Wilson is among about 20 such volunteers – a mix of working folks and retirees – who are serving around 240 residents this season, said Boatright.
“Their service is rooted in kindness, generosity and a shared commitment to caring for neighbors during the winter months,” she added. “One of the most touching things we consistently hear from seniors is their gratitude simply knowing the program exists. And many say that these volunteers, even if it is someone they have never met, give them peace of mind and reassurance they are not alone.”
Thinking about his own elderly relatives is one reason Wilson decided to sign up for the program when it launched four years ago. For him “it’s a way of honoring” our elders and “showing respect to our neighbors.”
Wilson says he usually gets to five or six homes, spending anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour at each one, depending on the driveway and sidewalk area that needs to be cleared.
“You really have 48 hours to get to it,” he pointed out, which for him means getting to some of those homes in the morning and going back later in the dark to finish his list.
The rewards, Wilson insisted, far outweigh the time spent with his snowblower and shovels.
“They will watch me work from the window, waving with a big smile on their face,” he said, adding that his “repeat seniors” often invite him in for hot chocolate and cookies — or even some good conversations.
“Part of the enjoyment is getting to talk to new folks,” Wilson said, adding that if the seniors want to visit – and many do – he’s more than happy to give them that extra time.
“I enjoy all of them so much.”
And there’s no question they appreciate the service.
Boatright noted that several in the program have told her they don’t know what they would do if the city did not have this service. It’s a sentiment, she said, that “captures the heart of Operation Senior Shovel — providing safety, dignity and care when winter conditions make daily life more difficult.”
It’s a reminder, Boatright added, that even in the “coldest conditions, community warmth still shows up. Our volunteers and the seniors they serve are a powerful example of neighbors caring for one another.”
And yes, with a waiting list for the program, more volunteers are not only welcome but needed.
As the number of participating seniors continues to grow, having more volunteers allows the program to expand the number of households, increase flexibility during larger snow events and support a safe and timely service across the city, Boatright said.
Residents interested in helping can learn more and sign up through the city of Aurora website at https://www.aurora.il.us/City-Services/Senior-and-Disability-Resources/Operation-Senior-Shovel
”Volunteering will give you a whole different perspective,” noted Wilson, who has been vocal throughout the past year about how our polarizing elections and political tribes have produced so much “ill will” toward each other.
“The biggest joy and way to grow is to contribute to others and take the focus off yourself. When someone has a need, it softens your resolve and your approach,” he insisted.
He pointed to the words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when it comes to volunteering.
“As Dr. King noted, everybody can be great because everyone can serve.”
dcrosby@tribpub.com
