By Vishweshwaran Gopalakrishnan
From minor to major car accidents, from bruises to broken backbones, for many a snowstorm is not necessarily a welcome break.
However, for Kyle Whit, a business entrepreneurship major from Murray, a snowstorm brings with it an opportunity to serve.
White is the creator and program director of the Center For Service and Learning''s Snow Angel, a program designed to assist individuals who 'can''t shovel.'
'Basically, whenever it snows, a volunteer will go help someone who can''t shovel or clear their sidewalks and driveways,' White said. 'It''s an opportunity to create one-on-one service just like Jesus did, and help people grow spiritually.'
The program is a result of White''s Utah State University days.
'When I was at Utah State as a freshman, a man had a program like this and in my home neighborhood, everyone knew were the widows lived so whenever it snowed, someone would clear it off,' White said. 'It''s just something that''s innate in me.'
The Snow Angel program provides opportunities to students and faculty to give back to the community.
'I am from California, so I am not used to shoveling walks,' said Jared Kenney, a physiology and developmental biology major from Granite Bay, Calif. 'But my grandparents live here in Utah and it was always touching to me that someone always cleared the driveways and walkways for them.'
Haeree Kim, a outdoor recreation major from Cheyenne, Wyo., said she loves the Snow Angel program because it''s very hands on, doesn''t take a lot of time and one can really see the results fast. She also said it''s a great experience and a good way to make new friends or just hang out with people.
'I think there are a lot of people in our community who can''t shovel for themselves- (the) disabled, single mothers with kids or the elderly,' Kim said. 'Since we live in a college-based community it''s sometimes hard to realize that there are elderly and families living among us.'
Snow Angel is part of the center''s Urgent Needs program and is open to all BYU students and faculty.
'The Urgent Needs program is a category of service opportunities that don''t fit into any of the regular programs that we have ... these are random things with people asking for help,' said Ronalee Macinnis, office manager at the center.
Snow Angel is in need of volunteers. The program also faces a shortage of shovels and other equipment.
Interested students and donators are welcome to contact the center for more information. Students can also write to BYUsnowangels@gmail.com or visit the center''s Web site through the BYU homepage.