As Rhode Islanders continue to dig out from the blizzard, there are hundreds of elderly and disabled residents needing someone to clear their walks.  Serve Rhode Island is stepping in to help.

Serve Rhode Island is a non-profit that connects volunteers with people in need.  More than 100 volunteers have already been out across the state helping residents, trapped in their houses and driveways.  Bernie Beaudreau is Serve Rhode Island’s executive director, and he said he’s heartened by the outpouring of help.  “It really is the best of us when people pitch in, and are willing to travel all over the state, and plow and shovel and really exhaust themselves,” said Beaudreau. 

But he add they’re working hard to keep up with requests. “At this point we’re asking people to let us know if there’s some particular urgency, like if they still can’t get out of the house, or if there’s a medical situation.  We’re making those folks a priority,” said Beaudreau.

He said he still needs at least 100 more volunteers to handle all the requests for help.  He says he hopes to have everyone who requested, cleared out by Saturday.

Do you have insight or expertise on this topic?  Please email us, we’d like to hear from you. news@ripr.org