Operation Senior Shovel

City of Aurora Senior Shovel Event.

It’s Almost That Time of Year Again!

The City of Aurora’s Operation Senior Shovel (OSS) Program provides free snow removal assistance during the winter months for senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities who are physically or financially unable to clear their own walkways and driveways.

In partnership with generous Snow Angel Volunteers, the program connects residents in need with caring neighbors who are willing to help during snow events. This life-enhancing service supports safe mobility, reduces isolation, and ensures that our most vulnerable residents can remain safely in their homes. 

Join Us This Winter!

Whether you're requesting support or volunteering to help, we invite you to register using the links below and be part of this impactful winter program.

Registration for service will open on Monday, September 22, 2025 at 8:00 am and will close on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm.

Volunteer registration is open through the end of February.

If you miss the registration deadline, you can still be added to our waitlist by emailing SeniorShovel@aurora.il.us or calling 630-256-3406.

Program Services

  • Snow removal services are only activated once a snow event is officially announced by the City of Aurora as a qualifying snow event of 2 or more inches of snow.

  • You do not need to call to request snow removal. Service is automatically initiated by the Senior and Disability Services Team once a qualifying snow event occurs.

  • You can expect snow removal to be completed within 48 hours of the initial qualifying snowfall.

  • It is important to know, that participating in last year’s program, does not make you automatically eligible for this year’s program. Participation does not carry over from year to year.

Registration Assistance

  • If needed, you can receive help with completing your online registration by calling 311 on calling 311 on Monday, September 22, 2025 to Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 4:00 pm.

  • If you receive registration assistance, you will need to complete a Hold Harmless Waiver separately. You may:

    • Have it mailed to your home to sign and return.

    • Visit the Senior and Disability Services Office on the first floor of City Hall to sign in person.

    • Request a digital copy via DocuSign (click, sign, and submit by email or text).

Upon Completing Registration

  • You will be notified by mail no later than Friday, October 24, 2025, whether:

    • You have been approved as a participant, or

    • You have been placed on the waitlist.

  • Once accepted, there is nothing more you need to do to receive service. We've got you covered!

Requirements For Senior Citizens

  • Occupants in your house, must also be over the age of 60 for you to qualify, OR, if aged 18 to 59, must be unable to shovel snow due to a temporary or permanent disability or serious medical condition

  • Each occupant aged 18 to 59 may be required to provide a statement, from a medical professional, verifying that the disability or serious medical condition prevents them from shoveling snow

  • If any occupants, aged 18 to 59, are not disabled or have a serious medical condition, then the elderly resident is not eligible for the program

Requirements For Individuals With Disabilities

  • The applying resident may be required to provide a statement, from a medical professional, verifying that the disability or medical condition prevents you from shoveling snow

  • Occupants in your house aged 18 or older, may be required to provide a statement from a medical professional stating that they are disabled or have a serious medical condition and cannot shovel snow

  • If the occupants in your house are not disabled, or have a serious medical condition, then the disabled resident is not eligible for the program

Sign up for our Waitlist

Opening on Monday, September 22nd at 8:00 am

Become a City of Aurora Snow Angel Volunteer!

Do you enjoy helping others during the winter months? Sign up to be a Snow Angel Volunteer and support your senior and disabled neighbors with snow removal during qualifying snow events.

Here is a brief overview of the Snow Angel commitment for the 2025-2026 Winter Season:

  • You only provide snow removal support when there is a qualifying snow event of 2 inches or more 

  • You will shovel for the same assigned Snow Angel Home(s) for each qualifying snow event. 

  • You will be assigned at least one Snow Angel Home, the preference is 2 homes, and you can volunteer for up to 5 homes. 

  • Your Snow Angel Home(s) will be assigned based on proximity to your home address. We encourage neighbors helping neighbors.

  • You provide your own shovel or snow blower. 

  • You have up to 48 hours after a qualifying snow event has concluded to shovel your assigned Snow Angel Home(s). We encourage you to shovel as soon as possible to increase the safety and ease the stress of our seniors/disabled participants.

  • You engage and receive communication through the Better Impact App or Browser 

If you have questions, or would like to share a testimony or photos from your OSS experience, please email us at SeniorShovel@aurora.il.us or call at 311.

Volunteer Today

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