Shoveling assistance for neighbors in need

Back in 2009, after hearing that then-Mayor Cory Booker was shoveling out neighbors in need, I got an idea. What if I could replicate his effort and coordinate multiple neighbors getting shoveled out simultaneously using technology — thus, the first version on #Snowcrew was born.

Today #Snowcrew is powered by Nextdoor.com (where I work) and below is how you can offer and ask your neighbors for help shoveling. If you have not yet joined Nextdoor you can download the app or sign up here.

❄️ To offer your assistance shoveling for free ❄️

1) Add yourself to the Help Map. To do this, get to the Help Map directly by going to http://nextdoor.com/helpmap. Then follow the onscreen instruction to offer your assistance.

2) Post your offer to shovel out your neighbors for free to your neighborhood’s Nextdoor newsfeed. Here are instructions - https://help.nextdoor.com/s/article/How-to-post

❄️ To ask for assistance shoveling or to find someone local to hire to shovel ❄️

1) Search the Help Map to see if anyone nearby has offered their help. You can visit the Help Map directly by going to http://nextdoor.com/helpmap. Click on the offers on the map to see what help your neighbors are offering and send a message to those offering help shoveling.

2) You can also ask for assistance shoveling or post that you want to hire someone to shovel by posting to your neighborhood’s Nextdoor newsfeed. Here are instructions - https://help.nextdoor.com/s/article/How-to-post

Please note that offers on the Help Map and main newsfeed should be for free per Nextdoor's community guidelines — we have designated spaces for neighbors and organizations to sell products and services such as snow removal detailed in our community guidelines here: https://help.nextdoor.com/s/article/promote-local-business-and-commerce-.... Service providers may, however, respond to requests for snow removal services.

As you go about shoveling, please do so safely — about 11,500 people visit the emergency room every year due to snow shoveling injuries.

Thank you Adam Gaffin for continuing to support my efforts to help neighbors in need for all these years!

Joseph