There are snow angels among us

While the eastern and central regions of our country are being walloped by record snow and cold, we’ve experienced a very mild winter. So far. My experience of living here for decades has shown that Mother Nature never gives a pass on snow and frigid temperatures, sometimes early in the season or late. But trust me, it ain’t over ‘til it’s over.

Last week, we had a few inches of snow that stuck around for a few days. For many of us, it was just a minor inconvenience, but if you’re older, disabled, physically limited or single moms, shoveling your walkway or driveway can be daunting at best. So when I saw a Facebook post from my friend, Rob Orth, it was inspiring.

Said Rob, “Why do we serve our neighbors? I was on my way to do a driveway in Post Falls. On the way, we saw an older gal shoveling her fairly large driveway. I stopped to see if she needed help. Turns out she was 80 and would likely have been out for a couple of hours trying to do it.”

When Rob finished, the woman praised God and thanked Rob, who concluded, “Together we all make a difference as we represent God’s hands on our community.”

Rob’s a member of the Facebook group, North Idaho Life Snow Angels, which was created in November of the unprecedented and uncertain year of 2020 by Keith Boe. Keith’s inspiration was recalling his grandmother saying years ago how hard winter was on his grandfather ... the cold, the heavy snow and the ice. His grandparents are no longer here, so Keith created the group in their memory to bring together volunteer snow shovelers and those needing assistance. Ryan Skaggs and Dan Berg have been prolific and enthusiastic volunteers since the beginning, and along with Keith, Rob and approximately 3,000 North Idaho Snow Angel members the blessings have multiplied. Some of the volunteers have snow blowers, most have shovels and all of them have big hearts to serve their neighbors.

Keith explains how it works ... 100% free, 100% volunteer. They don’t do advance scheduling or routes but respond to specific requests made on their NILSA Facebook page when there’s been a snowstorm. Someone will put up a request and include a general area or subdivision name and what’s needed like a walkway and driveway, without posting a specific address and then an available volunteer will contact them privately for details. And then like magic, it’s all taken care of. Keith said he and the others don’t disturb the occupant but will message them when they’re done.

All of these merry volunteers are a genuine blessing in our communities but Keith insists that the blessings are all theirs, that their ability to serve is all the reward they need. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

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The next time you hear someone bemoan how growth has caused us to lose that small-town feel or sense of community, suggest they take a look at the North Idaho Life Snow Angels Facebook page as an example that neighbors serving neighbors is alive and well right here where we live.

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Gen Xers and Millennials: Today will be your generation’s good old days. How will you be remembered in your good old days? Making history, making a difference?

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Happy birthday today to Jerry Sparling, Donna Trueblood, Sandy Wendell, Fondra McGee, Marc Kroetch and Rebecca Mort. Carrie Miller, Dan Ryan, Pat Mitchell, Jim Magnuson, Avery Hunt, Jennifer King, Esther Webb, Robert Coles and Cathy Evjen blow out the candles tomorrow. On Friday, Mary Jane Hahn, Nathan Johnson, Katrina Jaeger, Jan Harris, Tom Iverson, Paul Matthews and Ronan Kennedy have a piece of birthday cake. On Saturday, Kathy Kress White, Chris Hansen, Luke Gonzales, Tim Elder, Cora Cole, Amy Morfitt, Ivan Bosanko and Nathan Johnson will be celebrating. On Sunday, Vivienne Mitchell, Mike Baker, Deborah Shaw, Pat Russell, Wendy Wallin, Debbie Oliver and Ryan Wichman will put on their party hats. Celebrating Monday the 13th birthdays are Andy Irgens, Len Benes, JJ Dion, Joni Clevenger, Janice Myers, Mike Jorgenson, Karen Gage, Judy Manley, Tory Lee, Karen Holt, Teddi Johnson and Tasha Holmes. Tuesday celebrants are Teresa Wasileski, Addison Baltzell, Judy Eichelberger, Anita Weaver, Claudia Elliott, Jason Wereley and Jaden Alexander. 

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email thoreson.kerri@gmail.com.