notes: ''Working in collaboration with the Scituate Senior Center, Scituate Alliance of Natural Disaster Services (SANDS), among others, NECHAMA assisted older adults with snow removal needs amidst crippling snowfall. Southeastern Massachusetts suffered a relentless winter with approximately 100 inches of snowfall in 30 days. Throughout January and February one blizzard after the next dumped several feet of snow on the area, leaving many of Scituate’s most vulnerable citizens in disastrous situations. Dozens of homeowners within the coastal community of Scituate, MA were overwhelmed by the successive storms and were physically trapped inside their homes by as much as 5 ft of snow. Additionally, heating oil fuel tanks were running closer and closer to empty and roofs were now holding several feet of snow, growing ice dams and in some cases, on the brink of collapse. Upon learning about the situation facing many older adults NECHAMA sprung into action to assist. We provided hands-on help to 45 households in 10 days. The value of our services provide is estimated to be $50,000. On March 3, 2015, NECHAMA was recognized at a Scituate Board of Selectmen Meeting for our Blizzard Response. A Response Takes Shape During outreach to Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MA VOAD) and while gathering information on the local effects of the snowstorms, NECHAMA was made aware of an unusually high number of elderly and disabled persons in Scituate, Massachusetts that were struggling as a result of snowfall. We linked up with the Town of Scituate and their Council on Aging Senior Center and The Scituate Alliance of Natural Disaster Services (SANDs). The town’s social service apparatus was organized and allowed us to take immediate action. NECHAMA mobilized a blizzard response team, a first of its kind for the organization, and had snow shovels on Massachusetts soil within 24 hours of deploying from HQ in Minneapolis.A Feverish Cold Weather Effort Over the course of the next several weeks, NECHAMA worked sunrise to sunset to dig out Scituate residents. We met people who had been trapped in their homes for as long as 15 days! Our shoveling allowed them to leave and go grocery shopping or make doctor's appointments for the first time in weeks as well as providing the ability to safely reside in their homes with egress routes clear again. Once these immediate egresses had been cleared, dozens of paths were dug through the snow for oil refueling trucks to be able to deliver desperately needed heating fuel. Many residents we assisted were on the verge of being without heat. Our response team was able to get there in time and avert freezing pipes and further disaster. Linda Hayes, the Director of the Scituate Council on Aging remarked, “....NECHAMA has been an inspiration and a tremendous bright spot for all of us in Scituate. Lucky us to have found you!" -> 2015 Blizzard Response: Massachusetts ''Working in collaboration with the Scituate Senior Center, Scituate Alliance of Natural Disaster Services (SANDS), among others, NECHAMA assisted older adults with snow removal needs amidst crippling snowfall. Southeastern Massachusetts suffered a relentless winter with approximately 100 inches of snowfall in 30 days. Throughout January and February one blizzard after the next dumped several feet of snow on the area, leaving many of Scituate’s most vulnerable citizens in disastrous situations. Dozens of homeowners within the coastal community of Scituate, MA were overwhelmed by the successive storms and were physically trapped inside their homes by as much as 5 ft of snow. Additionally, heating oil fuel tanks were running closer and closer to empty and roofs were now holding several feet of snow, growing ice dams and in some cases, on the brink of collapse. Upon learning about the situation facing many older adults NECHAMA sprung into action to assist. We provided hands-on help to 45 households in 10 days. The value of our services provide is estimated to be $50,000. On March 3, 2015, NECHAMA was recognized at a Scituate Board of Selectmen Meeting for our Blizzard Response. A Response Takes Shape During outreach to Massachusetts Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (MA VOAD) and while gathering information on the local effects of the snowstorms, NECHAMA was made aware of an unusually high number of elderly and disabled persons in Scituate, Massachusetts that were struggling as a result of snowfall. We linked up with the Town of Scituate and their Council on Aging Senior Center and The Scituate Alliance of Natural Disaster Services (SANDs). The town’s social service apparatus was organized and allowed us to take immediate action. NECHAMA mobilized a blizzard response team, a first of its kind for the organization, and had snow shovels on Massachusetts soil within 24 hours of deploying from HQ in Minneapolis.A Feverish Cold Weather Effort Over the course of the next several weeks, NECHAMA worked sunrise to sunset to dig out Scituate residents. We met people who had been trapped in their homes for as long as 15 days! Our shoveling allowed them to leave and go grocery shopping or make doctor's appointments for the first time in weeks as well as providing the ability to safely reside in their homes with egress routes clear again. Once these immediate egresses had been cleared, dozens of paths were dug through the snow for oil refueling trucks to be able to deliver desperately needed heating fuel. Many residents we assisted were on the verge of being without heat. Our response team was able to get there in time and avert freezing pipes and further disaster. Linda Hayes, the Director of the Scituate Council on Aging remarked, “....NECHAMA has been an inspiration and a tremendous bright spot for all of us in Scituate. Lucky us to have found you!"