It has absolutely nothing to do with people lying on their backs in the snow and moving their arms and legs to create impromptu winter weather art. It's more closely related to kindred spirits performing heavenly work here on Earth.

These are different kinds of Snow Angels.

"Before we had a formal name, the people who we were helping named us," said Jennifer Jarvis, one of the founding members of the Lancaster Snow Angels. "They said to us, 'You're angels. We're so thankful.'"

The Snow Angels are an independent, community-oriented group of concerned citizens who travel around the Lancaster countryside shoveling and removing snow from the sidewalks, walkways and driveways of the elderly, the disabled and veterans - neighbors who can't remove snow on their own. It began as a grassroots movement in local neighborhoods, but the altruistic concept has gained traction and has now spread to nearly every corner of the county.

"Our veterans and elderly shouldn't have to deal with stress," said Jarvis. "They have doctor's appointments, and they have direct-care nurses coming to their homes. If they don't have families, or don't have families who live nearby, who's going to help them?"

That's where Lancaster Snow Angels come in. Persons in need of snow removal reach out to the Angels through phone calls, email and social media. The response may not be immediate, but no call for help ever goes unanswered.

"It's mostly individuals who can't afford private snow removal," said Jarvis, a resident of Terre Hill. "We're a faith-based organization. We take everyone at their word. We haven't really been taken advantage of at this point."

From modest origins during the pandemic, the Lancaster Snow Angels have grown in number to about 43 shovelers and snow removers - 35 adults and eight junior volunteers. The volunteers work together in teams or crews.

"Most of us are doing it around full-time jobs," said Jarvis. "Sometimes we call off, and our bosses know what we're doing. We're working around obligations. We have everyone prioritized."

"Shoveling snow is very taxing on your shoulders, arms and back," Jarvis continued. "The first day after a storm, you're no good to anyone. There's a recovery period needed. We're going two or three days beyond the storm."

Depending upon the severity of the storm and the amount of snow that has fallen, the Lancaster Snow Angels respond to 130 to 200 requests for help. The Snow Angels' coverage area currently encompasses the communities of Lititz, Ephrata, New Holland, Columbia, Denver, Strasburg, Paradise, Willow Street, Elizabethtown and portions of the city.

"It is a big county," said Jarvis. "That's why it gets so hard sometimes. We're talking about 10 to 30 addresses per town, or on one Angel's list. We're pretty much covering every town in the county. Wherever there's a need, we fill it. Sometimes it takes three or four days to clear a substantial snow. But we get it done."

"We've gained a lot of unofficial grandparents who have become parts of our (extended) families," she added. "They don't have anyone else, so we become parts of their families. Some of these people are suffering from loneliness."

In January of 2020, Jarvis; her husband, Fernando Rosado Jr.; and co-founder Mike Schmelder identified a need for helping their neighbors with snow removal. Through social media, word of mouth and some other very organic sources, the movement has grown steadily.

"Volunteers have come to us through multiple channels, and I'm grateful for that," said Jarvis. "They are strangers who have become family. We've experienced a lot of growth client-wise and volunteer-wise. There's a great need. It brings the communities together."

For additional information, search for "The Lancaster Snow Angels" on Facebook, call 717-327-0361 or email thelancastersnowangels@gmail.com.