Many older homeowners and individuals living with a disability can face barriers when it comes to removing the snow from their driveways and sidewalks during the winter months. To assist these individuals who may not be able to afford hiring third-party snow removal, the City hosts its Adopt-a-Driveway program pairing local volunteers with older homeowners and homeowners living with a disability to assist in snow removal between December and April.
Individual volunteers or teams of volunteers are assigned a property to remove snow from drives and sidewalks whenever more than three inches of snow accumulate.
Continue reading to learn more about volunteering, or about signing up as a homeowner.
Homes served will depend on the number of available volunteers.
Volunteer Information
Sign up as an individual or a team to adopt a driveway.
Volunteer Requirements
Volunteers are required to:
- Be available to remove snow from December to April
- Remove snow from assigned property driveway, sidewalk and windrows every time it snows three or more inches, within 24 hours
- Attend orientation
- Provide a vulnerable sector check as part of the application process; the City reimburses the cost of the check
- Available to communicate with program organizers
- Contact adoptadriveway@sarnia.ca if you are unable to clear snow for any reason
- Respect the resident’s property and not enter the home or accept money, food, or drink
- Follow all safety precautions
We provide all the equipment including shovels, salt and safety vests.
Sign up to Volunteer
You can sign up as an individual or team. It’s a great way to get out, help your community, and build team relationships. Students who track their hours will be awarded hours toward their community service requirements. Complete the Volunteer Sign-Up Form below to volunteer for this year’s season.
Homeowner Information
Individuals demonstrating need can sign up as a homeowner to have volunteers clear their driveway and sidewalks. The number of homes served depends on the availability of volunteers.
Homeowner Requirements
To be eligible for the program, homeowners must:
- Be 60 years of age or older, and/or have a disability meeting the condition of need for the program
- Qualify for the City’s financial means test by supplying a Notice of Assessment indicating an annual income of less than $30,000
- Be a Sarnia resident
Please email adoptadriveway@sarnia.ca if your volunteer was unable to shovel for any reason. We ask that you do not personally contact the volunteers; invite them into your home; offer food and drink; or offer money.
Apply as a Homeowner
If you meet the criteria above, you can apply to be added to the list of properties served by completing the Adopt-A-Driveway Homeowner Application below.
Adopt-A-Driveway Homeowner Application
Contact Us
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please email us at adoptadriveway@sarnia.ca or call 519-332-0330.