Swampscott Students Clear Snow for Seniors Through Snow Angels Program

Swampscott High School students are mobilizing to help older adults in the community with snow and ice removal this winter.

Through the Swampscott Snow Angels program, students banded together to clear snow and ice for those who needed help shoveling walkways and digging out vehicles after a significant winter storm pounded New England at the end of January.

Swampscott Senior Center Assistant Director Sabrina Clopton and high school teacher Temi Bailey co-lead the Snow Angels Program, along with involvement from the Room of Color Club, an affinity group supporting students of color. Now in its sixth year, the initiative is praised for fostering leadership, community service, and intergenerational bonds.

Students participate after school or on weekends, using their own shovels and transportation. They visit homes on a voluntary, rounds-based schedule as soon as the snow from a storm stops.

“It's worked out really well,” said Clopton in a statement shared with the Swampscott Tides. “The kids do their best and take on as many homes as they can sustain.”

Clopton added that when the forecast looked ominous before the most recent round of winter weather, additional students contacted the Swampscott Senior Center to help.

Student leader Noah Oubala said the program fosters caring through community building. 

“The small act of shoveling out someone's car can brighten their day,” said Oubala. “Going back to the same addresses throughout different storms allows us to build relationships with the homeowners, and it's incredibly rewarding to see the smiles on their faces.”