Snow Angels Massachusetts: A Northshore Community Effort

The Snow Angels Massachusetts were out in full force this year, because let’s be honest: this past winter was a long, hard slog. After we all got off a bit easy over the last few years, Mother Nature decided it was finally time to collect the debt. For those of us at CNA Stores, that meant plenty of frozen eyebrows while staring at yet another mountain of white fluff.

I originally started The Snow Angels Massachusetts back in early 2015, but life had other plans when a massive motorcycle accident that spring sidelined me. I spent the next few years essentially learning how to walk again and dealing with some brand-new “reminders” of the cold in the form of chronic pain. During that recovery, the community rallied around my family in ways I’ll never forget.

By 2019, my strength had finally grown enough to bring the project to the crew here at CNA Stores. Re-launching The Snow Angels Massachusetts was incredibly special for me—it was a chance to give back to the same neighbors who carried me when I couldn’t walk. Since that restart, the project has solidified into a permanent mission, and we just wrapped up our 6th season together. This year, we headed out to clear paths for nearly 30 of our local seniors who weren’t exactly in a position to be wrestling with a heavy snowblower.

Leading the Charge (and the Shovels)

One thing I love about this team is that nobody sits in a warm office while the real work happens. Our founder and CEO, Rob DiFazio, was out there in the thick of it, right alongside the rest of us. To make sure The Snow Angels Massachusetts were up to the task, Rob even picked up a plow truck specifically for this mission.

The heart of our fleet is affectionately known as “The Snow Angel Jeep.” The DiFazio family was generous enough to donate the vehicle to the cause, and I spent a good amount of time going through it from top to bottom, rebuilding it to ensure it was road-worthy and ready to tackle the harshest New England winters.

During the peak of the storms, we worked well into the evenings until it simply got too loud to keep the equipment running without waking the whole neighborhood. We’d reluctantly head home to thaw out, only to lace the boots back up and continue exactly where we left off early the next morning. Across all the storms this season, Rob and I put in a combined 104 hours of snow duty.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

One of the best parts of The Snow Angels Massachusetts is arriving at a house only to find the work is already done. Some of the seniors on our list have incredible neighbors who get out there and shovel them out before we even arrive. Honestly, that thrills us. That is exactly what this project is all about: neighbors helping neighbors.

We still show up at every house just in case, and this year, that habit really paid off. One of those “regular” neighbors—the kind of person who is always out there digging out their neighbor—actually had their own equipment break down during a storm. Because we showed up, we were able to jump in and help both the senior and the neighbor who is usually the one doing the helping. It was a great reminder of why we do this.

The Best Kind of Roadblocks

While we like to think of ourselves as a professional snow-moving strike force, our “efficiency” usually takes a hit because of how wonderful our neighbors are. As we made our way along the route, the seniors were incredibly appreciative—many of them actually bundled up and came outside just to say thank you or give us a wave as we worked.

• The Reward: I’ve learned that a cleared walkway, a plowed driveway, or a dug-out vehicle is usually worth at least one heartfelt hug and, if we’re lucky, a very necessary cup of hot coffee.

• The Connection: Winters here can get pretty lonely when you’re stuck inside, and seeing everyone come out to greet The Snow Angels Massachusetts reminds me why I’ve kept this going.

• The Silver Lining: Even with the long hours and the wind chill, you won’t hear us complaining. Seeing those smiles and knowing people are safe makes every frozen toe worth it.

We Need More “Angels”

If you’ve got a sturdy shovel and a decent pair of boots, we’d love the company! Whether it’s for the winter or any other volunteer service you may be capable of, the Amesbury Council on Aging is always looking for more people to assist our local seniors.

If you want to spend your winter getting a free workout and making some great friends, give the Council on Aging a call at 978-388-8138 to join The Snow Angels Massachusetts in the field. I promise the feeling of helping out is almost as good as the feeling of finally turning the heater on at the end of the day. Remember to respect one another and look out for your neighbors whenever you can.