The Beginning:

The Lancaster Snow Angels were formed in 2020. During the pandemic, Jen Jarvis and her husband, Junior Rosado, were laid off. They discovered a group called Dig Out Lancaster, which was receiving numerous requests for snow clearing assistance from elderly residents throughout Lancaster County. At that time, Mike Schmelder was the only person responding to these requests and clearing snow.

Junior suggested to Jen that they help Mike, and together the three began responding to all requests from the group. They cleared snow from over 30 addresses per storm, taking three to four days to complete each round as the list of requests continued to grow throughout that first season and into the next.

It wasn’t until halfway through the second season that more volunteers joined, allowing the group to assist more people and expand their list of clients. Each season brought more kind-hearted individuals who supported the mission and became part of the “angel army,” clearing snow across the county.

Today, the Lancaster Snow Angels have over 30 adult volunteers and more than 10 junior volunteers, covering 26 towns across Lancaster County with a list capacity of over 170 addresses. Starting in the fourth season, they expanded their services to include free lawn care, access ramp building, housekeeping, and other miscellaneous requests for help.

The Lancaster Snow Angels continue to grow their capabilities and strive to reach more individuals in need throughout the community.

Moving Forward:

Lancaster Snow Angels is a volunteer-driven nonprofit dedicated to serving approximately 170 neighbors when they need a helping hand the most. What began as a simple idea — clearing snow for seniors and individuals with mobility, medical, or financial challenges — has grown into a compassionate community movement rooted in kindness, service, and safety.

Each winter, our volunteers shovel walkways, clear driveways, and assist residents who otherwise risk injury, missed medical appointments, or dangerous isolation. We focus on older adults, people living with disabilities, veterans, families facing hardship, and anyone without access to safe snow removal options.

For us, it isn’t just about snow — it’s about connection. Our volunteers check in, share a smile, and make sure neighbors feel seen and supported.

With your support, we can recruit more volunteers, improve equipment and safety supplies, reach more households across Lancaster County, and continue building a network of caring neighbors helping neighbors.

Together, we can make winter safer, warmer, and more accessible for everyone

Our Mission:

Lancaster Snow Angels is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community care and connection during the winter months and beyond. Our mission is to match volunteers with neighbors in need—such as seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families facing hardships—to provide timely snow removal and ensure safe access to homes, sidewalks, and driveways. Through acts of kindness and service, we aim to build stronger, safer, and more compassionate neighborhoods across Lancaster County.