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Seniors can click instead of shovel

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Bella Gambin, 5, top left, Mackenzie Gambin, 8, and Kendall Digness, 7, marked a layer of fresh snow at Latham Island Park with a set of snow angels. (NNSL file photo)

A long-standing Yellowknife initiative is getting a technological makeover.

The City of Yellowknife has launched a new web page to allow residents better access to the Snow Angel program.

This means people like Lloyd Thiessen, an eight-year member of the Snow Angel/Sidewalk Samaritan initiative are easier to get a hold of.

“I like helping people, that is what is boils down to,” said Thiessen. “I plan on helping the community as long as I'm able.”

A new web page launched by the City of Yellowknife aims to provide faster and more efficient access to snow removal.
(NNSL photo)

Thiessen, a database administration and technician at the GNWT, in his off time started removing snow in 2007. A member of the Transportation Issues Committee, Thiessen said he noticed people needed help in the community and he wanted to be a part of the solution.

His efforts even won him the award for Snow Angel of the year.

“I was nominated (and won) in 2015,” said Theissen. “What I am doing was definitely validated but I would continue to do it with or without the award.

The group of snow saviours was established in 2007 and was back by former city councillor, Paul Falvo. They called themselves the Sidewalk Samaritans and their goal was to help people who were not able to live in Yellowknife's version of a winter wonderland.

The initiative grew to be named the Snow Angels and was taken over by the city. As of late, more efficient ways of handling the program have been discussed.

Thiessen and other volunteers usually get emails from the City of Yellowknife and then connect with residents on the best time to work.

“I usually use my ATV to plow the sidewalks,” said Theissen. “And I just use a hand-held shovel to clean the driveways.”

Now with the electronic version developed by the city will be accessible through the city's website.

“The city is hoping that citizens will help to clear snow and ice from the sidewalks of their neighbours who may be less able to do it themselves,” said Yellowknife events coordinator, Holly Ferris. “Particularly seniors and persons with disabilities.”

Ferris said those who help in our community need to be recognized

“We are encouraging residents to let us know who their Snow Angels are so we can publicly recognize them,”she said.